UC-NRLF 


B  ^  EbD  l^^ 


SOCIAL  SCIENCES 


DOCUMENTARY  HISTORY 

of 

THE  EARLY 

ORGANIZATIONS 

«/ PRINTERS 


By  ETHELBERT  STEWART 

Special  Agent  United  States  Bureau  of  Labor 


Published  by 
The.  International  Typographical  Union 
Indianapolis,  Indiana 
^  •  ,1907 


117    LIBRARY 


I 


A  Documentary  History  of 

the  Early  Organizations 

of  Printers 


By  ETHELBERT  STEWART 

Special  Agent 
United  States  Bureau  of  Labor 


Published  by  the 

Intemarional  Typographical  Union 

Indianapolis,  Indiana 

1907 


SOCIAL  SCIENCES 


This  Documentary  History  originally  appeared 
in  Bulletin  No.  61,  issued  in  November,  1905, 
by  the  United  States  Department  of  Commerce 
and  Labor.  It  is  reproduced  in  its  present  form 
by  order  of  the  Colorado  Springs  Convention 
of  the  International  Typographical  Union. 


Gin 


W5 


xWi^L-^ 


A  DOCUMENTARY  fflSTORY  OF  THE 
EARLY  ORGANIZATIONS  OF  PRINTERS^ 


INTRODUCTION 

TlHAT  a  number  of  disconnected  typographical  societies  existed 
I  in  various  parts  of  the  United  States  prior  to  the  formation  of 
■  the  unions  as  now  constituted,  while  not  perhaps  generally 
known,  will  not  be  new  to  students  of  the  history  of  labor  or- 
ganizations. The  references  to  these  early  organizations  arc 
usually  hazy,  containing  no  more  than  a  mere  statement  that  they  ex- 
isted at  certain  dates,  with  no  evidence  offered  of  the  truth  of  even  these 
statements.  In  this  article  it  is  believed  the  first  attempt  is  made  to  be 
specific  in  the  information  presented  about  these  early  organizations.  In 
this  respect  at  least  the  article  represents  pioneer  work  in  its  field,  not 
only  in  the  reproduction  of  documents,  but  in  the  resort  to  minute  books 
of  these  societies,  as  a  source  of  information  about  other  kindred  so- 
cieties. Thus  the  transcription  of  circular  letters  from  other  societies, 
upon  the  records  of  the  Columbia  Society,  or  the  New  York  or  Phila- 
delphia societies,  has  furnished  documentary  proof  of  the  existence  of 
many  printers'  organizations  nowhere  else  referred  to.  So  far  as  the 
documents  could  tell  the  story  little  else  has  been  said.  Such  explana- 
tion as  seemed  absolutely  necessary  to  an  understanding  of  the  docu- 
ments, as,  for  instance,  the  changing  industrial  conditions  which  prompt- 
ed the  intense  feeling  against  the  professional  editor  or  publisher  who 
was  not  at  the  same  time  a  "practical  printer"  has  been  given  briefly  in 
notes;  while  the  effect  of  the  great  employ-yourself  movement  socialism 
of  1830  to  1850,  so  apparent  in  the  radicalism  of  the  documents  of  that 
period,  is  briefly  referred  to  in  the  text.  The  addresses  "to  the  trade" 
or  "to  the  public"  have  been  reproduced  in  full,  and  for  the  most  part 
without  comment,  the  one  object  always  kept  in  view  being  to  let  the 
workingmen  of  that  period  tell  their  own  story.  Point  of  view  is  every- 
thing, and  as  it  is  very  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  state  another  man's 
point  of  view  except  from  your  own,  the  only  way  to  be  sure  of  getting 
the  early  printer's  point  of  view  is  to  let  his  documents  present  his  case. 
Even  then  it  is  hard  to  realize  why  some  things  which  seem  so  trivial 
today  were  so  serious  to  men  in  1815  or  1830. 


a  Acknowledgments  are  due  to  Mr.  K.  H.  Cressingham,  of  New 
York,  for  the  loan  of  valuable  material  in  connection  with  the  New  York 
Typographical  Society  of  1809;  to  the  ofl^cials  of  the  library  of  congress 
for  many  courtesies;  to  the  officers  of  the  International  Typographical 
Union;  to  Mr.  James  C.  Britton,  of  the  bureau  of  labor;  and  to  the 
officers  of  the  Washington  Typographical   Union. 


002 


ireau 


4  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

Because   of   this  conviction,    that   in    dealing   with    the   affp.Vc   .f 
generation   other  than   our  own   the  best   wav  to   tH  \J  ,  ^ 

price   lists,   and   minute   books,    and 

h   canvass   was   made    or  attempted. 

missed    would    bring   up    any    new 

T„e  period  covered  by  .=.u..  doiu;;™^^ iff™  l.t  foTs""',;  "'°"''- 


the 

such 


There 

po,.ib,e'.r;s-o7d  »;:;■;-;;::.;  ^'^.r  '::tllT:  \" '""', 


n.. e,o.i,>.,  i,  i, ,„.,  b„,  ffic:„  ■.ri.L  i.r' "r*'''"r!,f 
of  in»„eL^r,rNLi::,Tr''i^Lf -LT-bT'sJioLii  S": 

necessary  to   follow  a  subject  to  its  final  disposition 
the    woman    compositor    question    and    the    uniform 


.  ,ec.;o.  o,  .e  coi„,"''„rd-,?„i.rey:rrrd ';;""■;  r^er 

Copies   of  constitutions  and  price   lists  as  far  back  as    180    TrT 


»row,b  ,ro„  the  benefit  .0 ;,;;.,  er.,;.;r„'r!:;  ""r"f  r' 


i^ot  only  are  the  economic  reasons   for  some   of  thr   thJr,^     a 
t..e  unions   (as  .imitation  of  apprentices)   to  be  lu^d  t^  T.^^ 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  5 

history:  but  the  gradual  transformation  of  sentiments  into  customs,  and 
the  evolution  of  trade  interests  into  "union  principles,"  goes  on  so 
gradually  before  our  eyes  in  these  minute  books  that  we  can  under- 
stand them  better. 

In  the  early  constitutions  and  minutes  of  these  organizations  will 
be  frequently  found  stated  in  terms  those  "union  principles"  which 
have  since  become  a  part  of  the  subconscious  thought  life  of  the  "union 
man,"  and  no  longer  printed  or  stated,  because  nobody  m  the  union 
supposes  it  necessary  to  state  basic  principles.  Just  as  no  man  in  intro- 
ducing his  wife  specifies  that  a  legal  marriage  ceremony  has  been  per- 
formed, or  in  talking  about  his  children  stops  to  explain  that  they  were 
born  in  honorable  wedlock:  and  the  man  who  asks  for  an  explanation  or 
a  verification  of  these  taken-for-granted  and  socially  fundamental  as- 
sumptions, unless  he  represents  some  semi-savage  tribe  where  such 
status  is  not  indubitable,  is  simply  inviting  trouble  for  himself.  bo 
much  of  this  unrevealed  ultimate  principle  exists;  so  much  depends  upon 
an  understanding  of  this  submerged  or  subconscious,  and  to  the  trade 
unionist  axiomatic,  hence  never  expressed  thought  life,  that  students  of 
organizations  coming  from  a  different  mental  atmosphere  often  fa.  to 
find  in  unions  that  which  is  the  reason  for  their  existence-thc  soul  of 
purpose  by  which  they  live. 

These  "fundamental  principles  of  trade  unionism  are  often  the 
codified  experiences  of  former  generations  under  industrial  conditions 
that  no  longer  exist,  and  can  not  now  be  understood  by  a  mind  not  in- 
heriting an  intuitive  perception  of  them,  except  by  a  study  of  the  early 
organizations  in  which  they  were  formulated  and  of  the  conditions  which 
suggested  them.  Of  no  other  institution  is  it  more  true  than  of  trade 
unions  that  they  can  only  be  read  in  the  present  by  the  light  of  the 
past. 

BEGINNINGS.  1786  TO   1830. 

Whatever  of  associated  effort  there  was  among  printers  prior  to 
,70s  was  temporary,  having  a  single  purpose,  and  when  this  was  ac- 
complished the  compact  was  dissolved.  It  was  the  custom  in  all  trades 
to  call  a  "general  meeting"  of  the  trade  whenever  a  matter  of  impor- 
tance  to  all  presented  itself.  Such  calls  were  signed  by  one  or  two 
men  of  recognized  influence  in  the  trade.  These  meetings,  usually  held 
in  private  homes,  were  organized  by  the  election  of  officers,  a  statement 
was  made  of  the  purpose  in  calling  the  trade  together,  and  after  dis- 
cussion resolutions  were  adopted  embodying  the  views  of  those  present 
upon  the  question  presented.  When  the  meeting  had  deeded  what  the 
attitude  of  the  trade  was  to  be,  all  those  present,  if  wilhng  to  do  so. 
signed  an  agreement  to  stand  by  each  other  during  the  difficulty.  Com- 
mittees were  appointed,  and  frequent  meetings  were  held  during  the 
trouble,  especially  if  it  proved  to  be  a  strike  and  of  some  duration,  thus 
creating  the  impression  that  a  permanent  association  of  journeymen  had 
been  formed.  It  is  certain  that  some  of  the  strikes  in  colonial  times 
were  undertaken  with  no  more  of  an  organization  than  this,  and  while, 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


there  is  nothing  inherently  improbable  about  the  existence  of  permanent 
unions  in  colonial  times,  since  they  had  been  in  existence  in  England 
and  Europe  for  many  generations  before,  yet  we  should  be  cautious 
about  concluding  from  such  a  statement  as  "The  journeymen  bakers  of 
New  York  went  on  strike  in  1741,"  that  therefore  there  was  an  organi- 
zation,  other  than  a  temporary  understanding,   among  them. 

The  first,  probably,  of  such  understandings  among  journeymen 
printers  was  in  New  York  city  in  1776,  when  a  demand  for  an  increase 
of  wages  was  made  by  them  and  refused  by  their  employers,  with  the 
result  that  a  strike  was  called,  which,  proving  successful,  the  associa- 
tion ceased.  Again,  in  Philadelphia  in  1786  an  attempt  by  the  employers 
to  reduce  wages  to  $5.83  "4  a  week  was  made  the  occasion  for  calling 
the  trade  together.  The  statement  issued  by  the  printers  at  this  meeting 
has  fortunately  been  preserved,  and  was  as  follows: 

"At  a  meeting  of  journeymen  printers  of  Philadelphia  held  at  the 
house  of  Henry  Myers  on  Wednesday  evening,  the  31st  ultimo,  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions  were  unanimously  entered  into  and  ordered  tran- 
scribed for  publication.  In  consequence  of  an  attempt  having  been 
made  by  some  of  our  employers  to  reduce  our  wages  to  35  shillings  per 
week: 

"Resolved,  That  we,  the  subscribers,  will  not  engage  to  work  for 
any  printing  establishment  in  this  city  or  county  under  the  sum  of  $6 
per  week. 

"Resolved,  That  we  will  support  such  of  our  brethren  as  shall  be 
thrown  out  of  employment  on  account  of  their  refusing  to  work  for  less 
than   $6  per  week. 

"Philadelphia,  June  7,   1786." 

This  document  is  signed  by  twenty-^ix  printers,  probably  comprising 
a  majority  of  the  competent  men  in  the  city  at  that  time.  There  are 
indications  that  this  struggle  lasted  for  some  time,  but  none  whatever 
that  the  organization  of  printers  had  any  purpose  beyond  the  immediate 
one  of  resisting  that  reduction  of  wages,  or  any  existence  after  this 
single  purpose  was  accomplished.  The  document  is  important,  however, 
as  showing  that  the  sentiment  of  supporting  each  other  in  time  of  a 
strike,  out  of  which  the  union  strike-benefit  fund  grew,  existed  among 
printers  long  before  unions  as  such  were  formed. 

In  1795  an  organization  was  formed  in  New  York  city  known  as 
"The  Typographical  Society,"  comprising  in  its  membership  most  of 
those  working  at  the  trade  at  that  time.  It  was  the  first  known  society 
devoting  its  energies  to  trade  conditions  and  wage  scales  that  existed 
for    any    appreciable    length    of   time,  (a)      So    far    as    known    it    was    the 

a  The  "Company  of  Printers  of  Philadelphia,"  organized  in  1794, 
was  an  association  of  employers  and  job  printers,  not  of  journeymen, 
as  is  so  often  stated.  While  it  is  not  the  purpose  of  this  article  to  go 
into  the  question  of  employers'  associations,  yet  this  one  of  1794  is  so  fre- 
quently referred  to  as  a  labor  organization,  its  constitution  being  listed 
in   a  very  recent  bibliography  of  trade   union   publications   as   such,   that 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OK    PRINTERS 


first   society   not  called   into  existence   by   an   immediate   exigency   of   the 
trade,    and    ceasing    to    exist    when    that   exigency    was    removed.      The 


it  seems  advisable  to  settle  the  matter  definitely  by  reproducing  the  docu- 
ment, a  copy  of  which  is  preserved  in  the  library  of  congress.  It  will 
be  noted  that  article  14  provides  that  the  company  shall  "regulate  the 
prices  at  which  its  members  shall  execute  printing  work,  determine  the 
terms  if  employing  journeymen,  fix  penalties  for  the  violation  of  their 
regulations,'  etc.,  and  is  signed  by  nine  individuals  and  firms,  among 
them  some  who  were  of  more  than  local  importance  as  printers  and  pub- 
lishers. (See  Bishop's  History  of  American  Manufacturers,  \'ol.  i.) 
The  term  "printer"  was  applied  only  to  employers  in  the  earlier  times, 
and,   later,  to  both  employers  and  journeymen. 

Aside  from  the  historical  value  of  the  document  itself  and  the  im- 
portance of  eliminating  it  from  the  literature  of  trade  unionism,  it  is 
submitted  as  one  of  the  few  constitutions  extant  of  a  form  of  associa- 
tion known  as  "companies,"  which  formed  a  link  between  the  merchant 
guilds  of  the  late  middle  ages  and  the  employers'  associations  of  today. 
The  document  follows: 


CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  COMPANY  OF  PRINTERS  OF  PHILA- 
DELPHIA,  1794. 

Assured  that  the  interests  of  every  profession  depend,  in  a  high  de- 
gree, on  the  union  and  co-operation  of  its  members;  impressed  with  the 
necessity  of  associating  for  the  purpose  of  securing  those  advantages 
which  are  at  present  attached  to  the  printing  business,  as  well  as  for 
the  purpose  of  extending  them;  and  persuaded  that  such  association  will 
conduce  to  insure  the  harmony  and  good  fellowship  of  those  by  whom 
it  is  composed;  we,  the  subscribers,  printers  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
do  hereby  constitute  ourselves  a  society,  under  the  name  of  the  Com- 
pany of  Philadelphia  Printers. 

Article  I. 

The  company  shall  be  formed  of  such  printers  of  the  city  and  liber- 
ties, as  are  present  at  the  adoption  of  this  constitution;  of  such  as  shall 
join  the  company  within  one  month  subsequent  to  said  adoption,  and  of 
such  as  shall  be  hereafter  elected  in  conformity  to  the  third  article. 

Article  II. 

Every  person  previously  to  his  being  considered  a  member,  shall 
subscribe  the  constitution,  and  by  such  subscription  solemnly  engage  to 
comply  with  the  articles  thereof,  as  well  as  such  regulations  as  may  be 
made  under  the  same. 

Article  III. 

A  printer  may  become  a  candidate  for  admission  into  this  company, 
either  on  application  by  letter  or  on  the  nomination  of  a  member;  in 
either  case  his  name  shall  be  submitted  to  the  company,  at  one  regular 
meeting,  and  be  balloted  for  at  the  next  regular  meeting;  should,  how- 
ever, an  unanimous  voice  be  expressed  for  proceeding  to  an  immediate 
election,  all  delay  shall  thereby  be  suspended.  If  the  votes  of  two- 
thirds  of  the  members  present  be  in  his  favor,  he  shall  be  elected  a 
member. 

Article  IV. 

A  member  on  admission  shall  pay  the  sum  of  $2  and  the  sum  of  $1 
annually  afterward  during  his  membership. 

Article  %'. 
There   shall   be    four   regular   meetings   in   every   year,    viz.,   on   the 


DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 
Typographical    Society    of    1795    lived    two    and   one-half   years,    or 


far  into  1797.  and  succeeded 


m  securing  an   increase  of  wages  to  $1   per 


In    1799   the   Franklin    Typographical    Society  of   Journeymen    Print- 
ers,  of  New  York,    was   organized.      Mr.    David   Bruce,   the   famous   type 


second  Tuesday  of  January,  April,  July,  and  October,  and  on  such  other 

said'm'let.ny°"'^^"^  '^'"   ^^  ^^  adjournment,   or  as  shall   be   fixed   b" 

Article  VI. 

Six  members  shall  be  sufficient  to  proceed  to  business. 

Article  VII. 

There  shall  be  chosen  by  ballot,  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  Tanuarv 
in  every  year,  a  President  a  secretary,  a  treasurer,  and  a  committee  of 
three  members,  who  shall  be  called  the  committee  of  inquiry. 

Article  VIII. 

at  thfneS  r'eg'ulaTmeeSng?""''   '"   ^"^   °^'="'   '""'^  ^^^^   ^^   -PP'-<i 
Article  IX. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  president,  or,  in  his  absence,  of  a  chair- 
inan,  to  preside  at  al  meetings;  to  preserve  order  among  the  members • 
to  call  a  special  meeting  whenever  he  sees  it  expedient;  or    at  th^  rwuesi 

!he  icrSSr  ""       '  """""  °'  ""  ~™P"V%hairde.„Tve  S 

Article  X. 

SlllTS,„.'"  ""  "'"""  "  ""  •^'""y-  '  ""«.rrpr,  ,SJ„?i 

Article  XI. 
as   shalf^^rorne  ^^n   *1"*^  °^  ^^^  treasurer  to  receive  such  sums  of  money 

Article  XII. 
mati^n  lii^lV*'-^  ^^^  ''"*^  °^  ^^^  committee  of  inquiry  to  obtain  all  infor- 

Zl^rZ\°^'^'  company;   and  to  obtain  information  of  the   state  o'f  the 

s'ame''?o^he"c"omy"ny':^'^"""  *°  ^""'^^^  "''  -^-^"^  and  to'^epo^rf  the 

Article  XIII. 

Article  XIV. 
When    the   company   are   organized,    they   shall   have   the    power    to 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  q 

founder,  was  its  first  president.  Tliis  society  formulated  the  first  com- 
plete wage  scale  ever  adopted  by  the  printers  of  New  York  city,  and 
went  on  strike  for  its  enforcement.  No  copy  of  this  scale  has  been  pre- 
served. It  demanded  25  cents  per  :,ooo  ems,  and  not  less  than  $7  per 
week  in  book  and  job  offices,  and  $8  per  week  on  newspapers.  None  of 
its  records  and  no  copy  of  its  constitution  could  be  found,  but  from  con- 
temporary newspaper  files  it  is  learned  that  the  "Franklin  Typograph- 
ical Society  assembled  at  the  house  of  Mr.  P.  Becanon,  No.  87  Fair 
street,  to  celebrate  the  twenty-sixth  anniversary  of  American  Independ- 
ence July  4,    1801." 

The  Daily  Advertiser,  of  New  York,  in  its  issue  of  February  4, 
1803,  printed  the  following  notice: 

"A  regular  meeting  of  the  Franklin  Typographical  Society  will  be 
held  at  their  rooms,  63  Stone  street,  on  Saturday  evening,  February  5, 
1803.     Members  are  requested  to  be  punctual  in  their  attendance. 

"By  order  of  the  president: 

"John  Collins,  Secretary." 

regulate  the  prices  at  which  its  members  shall  execute  printing  work; 
to  determine  the  terms  of  employing  journeymen;  to  fix  penalties  for 
the  violation  of  their  regulations;  and,  in  general,  to  adopt  such  rules  as 
may  be  considered  conducive  to  the  prosperity  of  the  printing  business. 

Article  X\'. 
Any  member  may  withdraw  from  the  society  by  removal  from  the 
city;  by  a  relinquishment  of  the  printing  business;  or  by  signifying  his 
disposition  thereto  at  a  regular  meeting:  Provided,  That,  in  the  last  in- 
stance, he  do  not  cease  to  be  a  member  until  the  next  regular  meeting: 
And  also  proi-idcd.  That  on  such  secession  he  place  in  the  hands  of  the 
treasurer  the  sum  of  ten  pounds  for  use  of  the  company;  should,  how- 
ever, two-thirds  of  the  members  present  dispense  with  the  payment  of 
this  sum,  it  shall  not  be  demanded. 

Article  X\'I. 
Any  proposition  of  amendment  to  this  constitution  shall  be  made  at 
a  regular  meeting,  and  not  be  brought  to  decision  until  the  next  regular 
meeting:  previously  to  which  notice  shall  be  given  to  the  members  by  the 
secretary,  that  it  is  proposed  to  alter  the  constitution. 

Article  XVII. 

A  member  may  te  expelled  for  misconduct  by  a  majority  of  the 
company,  provided  that  such  expulsion  be  made  at  a  regular  meeting, 
and  that  such  meeting  be  not  the  one  at  which  it  is  proposed  to  expel 
him. 

Article  XVIII. 
On   the   adoption   of   this  constitution   the  company   shall   proceed   to 
the  choice    of   officers,    who   shall   hold   their   appointments   until    the    day 
fixed  upon  for  the  annual  election  of  officers. 
Adopted  September  ii,  1794. 

VV.   Young. 
Robert  Cochran. 
Richard  Folwell. 
Samuel  H.  Smith. 
William  Gibbons. 
HoFF  AND  Derrick. 
Tacob  Johnson. 
William    W.    Woodward. 
MoRDECAi  Jones. 


lO  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

It  would  appear  from  this  that  the  society  had  grown  too  large  to 
meet  in  the  private  homes  of  its  members  and  strong  enough  to  have  a 
hall,  or  at  least  rooms  of  its  own. 

In  its  issue  of  September  19,  1803,  the  New  York  Evening  Post  had 
the   following  acknowledgment: 

"The  president  of  Franklin  Typographical  Society,  of  New  York, 
acknowledges  the  receipt  of  $83.50  from  the  Philadelphia  Typographical 
Society  for  the  relief  of  such  of  our  members  as  may  be  distressed  in 
consequence  of  the  prevailing  epidemic." 

The  minutes  of  the  Philadelphia  Society  show  that  at  its  monthly 
meeting  in  June,  1803,  "it  was  voted  to  contribute  $83.60  to  assist  the 
printers  in  New  York  city  who  may  be  suffering  from  ravages  of  the 
yellow  fever." 

The  Franklin  Typographical  Society  of  New  York  ceased  to  exist 
in  1804,  but  the  bill  of  prices  formulated  by  it  remained  the  standard 
of  wages  until  September  20,  1809,  when  the  New  York  Typographical 
Society,  organized  early  in  that  year,    formulated  a  new  scale. 

As  further  tribute  of  a  documentary  character  to  the  work  of  this 
society  of  1799-1804,  may  be  cited  the  first  paragraph  of  a  letter  written 
August  25,  1809,  by  the  secretary  of  the  New  York  Typographical  So- 
ciety: 

"New  York,  August  25,   1809. 

"Gentlemen:  The  board  of  directors  of  the  New  York  Typograph- 
ical Society,  by  a  resolution  passed  the  19th  instant,  have  directed  me 
to  inform  you  that  the  customary  price  per  token  for  working  super- 
royal  paper  is  37^^  cents,  and  48  tokens  (which  is  supposed  to  be  the 
number  you  work  per  week)  at  that  price  would  be  $18.  The  present 
society,  however,  have  yet  no  established  prices,  either  for  presswork  or 
for  composition,  but  the  price  which  is  here  mentioned  is  that  which 
was  instituted  by  a  former  association  in  this  city,  and  which  we  be- 
lieve is  now  generally  conformed  to." 

So  much  space  has  been  given  to  this  organization  because  to  it  be- 
longs the  credit  of  formulating  the  first  detailed  scale  of  wages  pre- 
sented to  employers  in  the  printing  business  in  the  United  States,  and 
because,  curiously  enough,  while  the  earlier  society  of  1795  is  some- 
times mentioned  by  writers,  this  much  more  important  one  of  1799- 
1804  is  not  referred  to  by  any  of  them. 

The  Philadelphia  Typographical  Society  was  organized  in  1802,  and 
enjoys  the  distinction  of  being  the  oldest  existing  organization  of  the 
craft.  Up  to  183 1  it  existed  as  both  a  benevolent  and  a  trade  society, 
as  was  the  rule  among  the  early  societies.  In  1831  it  became  a  purely 
benevolent  association,  and  as  such  exists  today. 

February  22,  1802,  this  society  formulated  a  list  of  prices  (which 
is  believed   to   be   identical   with   that   of   the    New  York  Typographical 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OK    I'klNTKRS 


II 


Society  in  1800),  and,  prefacing  it  with  a  neat  address  to  the  employ- 
ers, submitted  it  for  acceptance. (a)  A  photographic  reproduction  of 
the  only  copy  of  this  price  list  known  to  be  now  in  existence  is  here 
presented. 


C^. 


Philadelphia,  Februanj  22,  l»2. 

THE  *•  PhiUdtlphl*  T) pogmphicil  Society,"  take  ihe  liberty  to 
furnish  you  with  their  Lhi  of  Prices.  We  hope  that  we  shall  be  indulged  « iih  at 
leaVt  .1  cajidid  examination  ul'  our  demands. ...wc  presume  you  arc  not  uiMC^uitintcd 
with  many  of  them.  Wc  would  wish  to  be  placed  on  a  footing,  at  leait,  uith  me- 
chanics.... our  wages  have,  in  no  instance,  kept  pace  uiiU  them.  We  have  the  merit 
of  not  bving  the  most  dissatisfied,  and  in  no  one  instance  of  demanding  any  thing 
unjuit.  \Ve  have,  in  the  following  sLilciVicni,  confined  ourselves  to  what  a  majority 
of  the  employers  in  this  city  give.  Our  object  is,  to  have  one  unifonn  price  estubli^hed. 
In  doing  this,  we  shall  act  us  men  towards  men. ...no  person  will  leave  his  employ 
until  he  has  given  a  reasonable-  notice. ...in  return,  «e  expect  that  )our  conduct 
towards  us  will  be  equally  candid.  Indeed,  ue  cherish  a  hope-,  that  the  time  is  not 
C»r  distant,  when  the  employer  and  the  employed  will  vie  with  each  od>er,  the  one,  in 
ollwiiii^  i»  competent  salary,  the  other,  in  deser^it,^  it.  Under  these  impressions  ue 
ttibinit  th«  following  prices  tu  your  decision. 


COMPOSITION  ^  PRESS  WORK. 

£W.  Cits  Ool.  Cu 

Per  week,  not  less  than 8  00^  Per  week,  not  less  than 8  00 

Every  1000  m's,  from  Brevier  to  >        „.  ^  All  paper  below  medium,  per  token  30 

English,  inclusive 3  n      Ditto    above  medium 37i 

Common  Rule  or  Figure  work  .  .  .      50  >  Broadsides,  per  token  .    .'.....  75 

s  Cards,  per  pack .  12; 

i  A  single  pack  of  cards 30 

J  AU  small  jobs     .  .  ...  30 


Gsoics  Whiti,  P  ret  idem. 
JoMH  Chilos,  yice-Pretident. 
WliiiAM  LiTTLC,  Secretary. 


W.  W.  Wand.. 
£.  Conrad,         /    Standing 
B.  Greaves,        V  Committee. 
J.  M'Uvaiae, 


/    Standing     J  A 
V   Committee.  /  F 


W.  Scott, 
A.  Scott, 
P.  Dcnham, 


c«>r  To-.'.-. 

Joh.  W    Mkn 

Jo.^  (WfoH. 

lr.Jo.«, 

Fnncil  WrijWr. 

FwlTiVLaudir. 

John  Do.. 

(?«s-«. 

Henry  Guv>o. 
SttpUn  S.»cU. 

WUI.imCulc. 
HoUn  M..,.U. 

W.ll»m  P  Luc. 

Jokn  WhItJ,. 

Ptinck  Mylbfia. 

AI...«J«  Bolud. 

Silut    HmI. 

Ixmc.C   CovTrt,. 

J.m«  W.niiMj. 

Tkom.!  To-n. 

J.he,  K.n.lcr. 

Sui«I  Ak<rm>o. 

TkJ^  dImJ.' 

NKhrtu  Konifck. 

Wj*.m'fl"hWI, 

John  Coop,,. 

SJrfD»- 

.J.m..M-K.b(H.. 

Tl»0.>.  S«..n. 

AnW  Co1.™J« 

JuMt  Mnni. 

Joh«B«»n), 

Id,  AH^^M.,.- 

CMHu  l.w. 

J«<*  B«T««. 

Huc<  H  C.bbt. 

WUlLm  AVi«*r. 

WJlumConKi,. 

A»d„.  S«^,. 

hH<  PilM*. 

■».;.i~». 

•<IV.M  •ktWM 

•mmI  (urr 

o  The  bibliography  appended  to  Sidney  and  Beatrice  Webb's  "History 
of  Trade  Unionism"  in  Kngland  gives  "the  scale  of  prices  of  the  Edin- 
burgh compositors  for  1805"  as  the  oldest  printers'  scale.  It  may  there- 
fore develop  that  this  Philadelphia  price  list  is  the  oldest  in  the  lan- 
guage. 


12  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY   OF    THE 

The  constitution  of  this  society,  which  was  not  finally  adopted  until 
November  6,  1802,  is  given  in  full  in  Appendix  A,  No.  i,  and  is  be- 
lieved to  be  the  oldest  constitution  of  a  labor  organization  extant  in  the 
United  States.  No  printed  copy  of  the  document  was  found,  but  a  tran- 
script was  made  from  the  minutes  of  the  society  for  the  purpose  of  this 
article. 

While  the  constitution  gives  prominence  to  the  sick  and  funeral 
benefit  features  of  the  organization,  as  did  the  early  craft  guilds  and 
still  earlier  burial  societies,  nevertheless,  unlike  them,  it  does  not  en- 
tirely conceal  its  industrial  purposes.  The  journeymen  printers  had  se- 
cured the  acceptance  by  the  master  printers  of  tlieir  price  list  of  Feb- 
ruary 22,  and  under  "a  desire  to  consolidate  the  present  good  under- 
standing and  harmony  which  now  happily  subsists  among  the  brethren 
of  our  profession,"  the  constitution  of  November  6  was  adopted.  In 
addition  to  a  sick  benefit  of  $3  a  week  and  a  funeral  benefit  of  $10,  "in 
every  case  when  a  member  may  be  thrown  out  of  employ,  by  reason  of 
his  refusing  to  take  less  than  the  established  prices,"  the  board  of  di- 
rectors "shall  advance,  if  required,  on  his  own  security,  in  their  discre- 
tion, such  sum  per  week  as  will  be  sufficient  to  defray  his  ordinary  ex- 
penses," and,  furthermore,  if  such  person  was  unable  to  return  the 
money  so  loaned,  then  an  assessment  should  be  levied  upon  the  mem- 
bership to  repay  the  same.  To  this  incipient  strike-benefit  fund  was 
added  an  obligation  upon  the  part  of  at  least  the  officers  of  the  society 
to  use  their  influence  to  secure  employment  for  members  in  preference 
to  non-members,  and,  above  all,  membership  in  the  society  was  condi- 
tioned upon  having  "served  an  apprenticeship  satisfactory  to  the  board  of 
directors."  It  is  impossible  to  read  the  minutes  of  the  meetings  of  these 
early  societies,  however,  without  being  convinced  that  the  serious  pur- 
pose of  their  exister.ce  was  not  made  prominent  in  their  published  docu- 
ments. They  had  an  exoteric  and  an  esoteric  side.  To  the  public  they 
pointed  out  their  benevolent  features.  The  real  work  was  done  in  ex- 
ecutive session.  However,  a  great  many  of  their  members  joined  them 
because  of  these  benevolent  features,  and  thought  their  mission  confined 
to  this,  so  that  there  were  always  two  factions,  one  demanding  more  and 
more  of  trade  regulation  by  the  society,  the  other  opposing  any  inter- 
ference in  trade  matters,  and  constantly  urging  a  further  extension  of 
the  mutual  benefits,  from  an  "alimoner's"  point  of  view. 

At  its  monthly  meeting  of  December,  1802,  the  society  appointed  a 
committee  to  draft  a  memorial  to  congress  praying  for  an  additional 
duty  on  all  imported  European  books.  April,  1803,  it  raised  the  price 
of  composition  on  daily  newspapers  to  30  cents  per  1,000  ems,  placed  a 
charge  of  20  cents  on  each  alteration  from  copy  after  proofs  were  cor- 
rected, and  passed  a  "lost-time"  rule  as  follows: 

"Whenever  an  employer  agrees  to  pay  for  lost  time  it  shall  be  at 
the  rate  of  15  cents  per  hour." 

In   June,    1803,    the   society   raised    the   initiation    fee    to    $2;    voted 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    I'RINTKRS 


13 


$83.60   to   the   printers  in    New   York  who   were   suffering   from   yellow 
fever;  then  passed  the  following  not  at  all  eleemosynary  measure: 

"Whereas,  Several  employers  have  taken  laborers  at  presswork, 
and  thereby  the  business  has  been  materially  injured:    Therefore, 

"Resolved,  That  no  member  of  this  society  shall  be  permitted  to 
work  at  presswork  with  any  person  who  is  not  regularly  bred,  bound 
apprentice  till  21  years  of  age,  except  under  penalty  of  expulsion." 

In  1806  it  began  expelling  members  on  first  offense  for  working  be- 
low the  scale  of  prices,  and  in  February,  1807,  extended  the  obligation 
to  all  members,  theretofore  resting  upon  officers  only,  to  aid  members 
in  securing   employment   in   preference  to  non-members  by   the  passage 

of  the  following: 

"Resoked,  That  if  any  member  of  this  society  who  shall  procure 
employment  for  any  person  or  persons  who  are  not  members  of  this 
institution  in  preference,  and  knowing  at  the  time  of  the  procuring  of 
such  employment  that  there  are  members  of  this  society  then  out  of 
actual  employment,  such  member  or  members  so  offending  shall  on  con- 
viction be  subjected  to  a  fine  of  $5,  and  for  second  offense  be  liable  to 
suspension  or  expulsion,  at  the  discretion  of  the  directors:  Provided, 
nevertheless,  That  this  resolution  shall  not  be  construed  to  the  preju- 
dice of  members  interesting  themselves  in  behalf  of  strangers  in  dis- 
tress or  emigrants  from  Europe." 

The  year  1807  marks  the  development  by  the  Typographical  Society 
of  Philadelphia  of  much  that  has  been  thought  to  have  originated  with 
modern  unionism,  such  as  the  demand  for  the  exclusive  employment  of 
union  men,  the  monthly  "working  card,"  and  the  adoption  of  a  system 
very  suggestive  of  the  "house  of  call,"  or  union  employment  bureau. 
At  the  meeting  held  April  4,  1807,  the  initiation  fee  was  raised  to  $4 
and  the  funeral  benefit  increased  to  $25.  After  these  concessions  to  the 
"alimoners"  this  resolution  was  passed  and  a  committee  appointed  in  ac- 
cordance with  its  terms: 

"Whereas,  Many  illegal  practices  and  abuses  hostile  to  the  estab- 
lished regulations  of  this  society,  as  ^^•ell  as  injurious  to  the  interests 
of  each  and  every  industrial  member  thereof;  and  whereas,  also,  the 
said  abuses  and  illegal  practices  on  the  part  of  the  employers*  are  tamely 
submitted  to,  and  in  some  instances  connived  at  by  the  employed,  to 
remedy  which  and  to  make  such  further  inquiries  as  they  may  deem 
necessary, 

"Resolved,  That  a  committe  be  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  pres- 
ent state  of  the  art,  and  whether  any  and  what  abuses  are  practiced, 
and  what  regulations  it  may  be  expedient  on  the  part  of  the  society  to 
adopt,  to  check  and  do  away  with  all  such  abuses  and  irregular  prac- 
tices hostile  to  the  interests  and  well-being  of  its  members,  and  that  the 
committee  report  the  results  of  their  investigations." 


14  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

Apparently  there  is  a  studied  vagueness  about  this  resolution  so  un- 
usual that  one  is  at  a  loss  to  understand  it  until  it  is  learned  from  the 
report  of  the  committee  that  the  resolution  is  aimed  not  at  members  of 
this  society,  but  at  the  master  printers,  who  were  cutting  prices  and 
employing  "two-thirders,"  or  persons  who,  not  having  finished  their  ap- 
prenticeship, were  willing  to  work  for  anything  they  could  get.  The  re- 
port of  the  committee  follows: 

"In  reviewing  the  present  state  of  the  art,  it  is  with  considerable 
regret  that  we  dissent  from  a  very  prevalent  opinion,  which  we  can  not 
think  was  even  true  when  it  was  first  formed. 

To  say  that  'printing  was  in  a  highly  flourishing  condition'  may 
be  well  enough  applied  to  themselves  by  the  gang  of  pettifogging  mas- 
ter printers,  but  the  great  body  of  the  journeymen  and  the  few  respec- 
table master  printers  know  it  to  be  false.  The  prices  received  by  the 
master  printers  six  years  ago  were  better  for  common  work  than  what 
they  receive  at  present.  At  that  time  all  common  work  gave  them  64^ 
cents,  whereas  at  present  they  only  receive  45  cents,  and  in  some  cases 
even  less. 

"The  committee  are  of  the  opinion,  that  in  order  to  maintain  that 
harmony  which  as  yet  happily  exists  between  the  society  and  the  mas- 
ter printers,  it  would  be  expedient  to  hold  a  conference  with  them  on 
the  subject,  and  make  such  regulations  in  the  prices  as  the  nature  of 
the  times  may  require,  and  enable  employers  in  all  cases  to  give  the 
preference,  and,  if  possible,  never  to  employ  any  other  than  members  of 
this  society,  or  at  least  men  who  have  served  a  regular  apprenticeship." 

September,   1807,  the  society  adopted  the  following  regulation: 

"Resolved,  That  cards  be  printed  by  the  society,  to  be  renewed  by 
the  secretary  every  month,  for  the  benefit  of  those  out  of  employ- 
ment, stating  that  they  are  not  in  arrears;  and  such  persons  who  can 
not  produce  the  same,  on  inquiring  of  a  member  for  a  berth,  he  is  pro- 
hibited from  informing  the  said  person  under  penalty  of  $1  for  every 
such  offense." 

As  yet  no  journeymen's  society  had  been  strong  enough  to  main- 
tain, indeed  none  had  had  the  temerity  to  advance  any  apprenticeship 
regulations.  There  was  a  customary  apprenticeship  rule  that  had  come 
down  from  the  masters'  guilds  to  the  effect  that  a  term  of  six  years, 
between  the  ages  of  15  and  21,  was  necessary  to  constitute  a  journey- 
man. But  the  old  guild  conditions  were  gone,  and  the  new  conditions 
were  only  forming;  neither  the  conditions  nor  the  workmen's  societies 
were  ripe  for  a  definite  stand  on  the  regulation  of  apprenticeship.  The 
Philadelphia  society,  at  its  meeting  of  December,  1808,  took  such  stand 
as  it  could  on  the  problem  by  enacting  that  no  member  should  teach  an 
apprentice  who  was  not  bound  before  his  eighteenth  year;  the  penalty 
for  violation  being  not  only  expulsion  from  the  society  but  notices  of 
such  expulsion  to  be  sent  to  the  other  societies  of  printers.     This  is  the 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


first    intimation    of    the    exchange    of    names   of    objectionable    printers, 
which  afterward  developed  into  the  "unfair  lists,"   "rat  lists,"  etc. 
The  regulation  as  passed  reads: 

"That  from  and  after  the  ist  day  of  January,  1809,  no  person,  a 
member  of  this  society,  shall  teach  or  assist  in  teaching  any  person  in 
the  art  of  printing  who  may  have  arrived  at  the  age  of  18  years. 

"And  be  it  further  resolved.  That  if  any  member  or  members  of  the 
Philadelphia  Typographical  Society  shall,  in  violation  of  the  rule  in  that 
case  made  and  provided,  undertake  to  instruct,  or  in  any  manner  assist 
to  instruct,  in  any  branch  of  the  art  of  printing,  any  irregular  person 
included  in  the  foregoing  resolution,  such  member  or  members  shall, 
on  conviction,  be  expelled  from  the  society,  and  notice  of  such  expul- 
sion shall  be  communicated  to  the  different  typographical  associations 
throughout  the  United  States  as  the  president  of  tlie  board  of  directors 
may  think  proper." 

The  latter  part  of  this  resolution  not  only  marks  the  beginning  of 
the  "unfair  list,"  but  raises  the  question  as  to  what  other  typographical 
associations  existed  in  the  United  States  at  that  time. 

So  far  as  can  be  definitely  ascertained,  from  original  records  at 
this  late  date,  there  were  no  other  such  societies  in  existence  in  Decem- 
ber, 1808.  In  "Thomas's  History  of  Printing"  it  is  stated  that  "The 
Boston  Typographical  Society  was  organized  in  1803,"  without  giving 
any  clue  to  the  authority  for  the  statement.  In  1809  the  Philadelphia 
society  received  a  communication  from  the  Boston  Typographical  So- 
ciety, stating  that  it  had  just  completed  and  presented  a  scale  of  prices 
to  the  employers.  The  letter  gives  an  impression  that  the  society  had 
been  but  recently  organized,  though  it  does  not  say  so.  This  soci- 
ety seems  to  have  been  short  lived,  as  another  of  the  same  name  was 
organized  November  25,  181 5,  as  appears  from  a  letter  in  the  minutes 
of  the  New  York  society,  a  copy  of  which  is  transcribed  elsewhere. 
The  records  of  the  Boston  Typographical  Society,  after  its  demise,  were 
placed  in  the  library  of  the  Franklin  Typographical  Society,  of  Boston, 
which  was  organized  in  1822  as  a  purely  beneficial  society,  admitting  to 
membership  both  employers  and  employes,  and  prevented  by  its  consti- 
tution from  taking  any  part  in  trade  matters.  This  society  still  exists, 
but  the  records  of  the  journeymen's  organization  have  been  lost.  The 
latest  mention  of  the  Boston  Typographical  Society  is  in  1826,  when  it 
sent  a  communication  to  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society,  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  as  shown  by  the  minutes  of  the  latter  society.  The 
Faustus  Association  of  Printers  was  organized  in  Boston  in  1805,  but 
this  was  an  employers'  association,  to  regulate  prices  of  work  done  for 
the  public.  It  can  not,  therefore,  be  confidently  asserted  that  there 
were  any  societies,  outside  of  Philadelphia,  in  existence  when  the  Phila- 
delphia society  passed  its  resolution  in  December,  1808;  but  it  is  not 
improbable  that  there  were  such  in  Boston  and  Baltimore.  The  Balti- 
more Typographical   Society  is  referred  to   in    1815   as  one  of  the  older 


l6  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

societies.  The  date  of  its  organization  has  not  been  ascertained,  and 
none  of  its  records  could  be  located.  Unfortunately,  also,  the  present 
typographical  union  of  Baltimore,  organized  in  1831,  lost  its  records  in 
the  great  fire  of  February,  1904,  just  a  few  months  before  the  collection 
of  data  for  this  article  was  begun. 

The  condition  of  the  trade  in  New  York  city  seems  to  have  dete- 
riorated rapidly  after  the  collapse  of  the  union  in  1804.  In  June,  1809, 
a  coterie  of  printers  met  in  the  private  house  of  Mr.  David  Reins,  49 
Barclay  street,  to  discuss  the  question  of  organization.  A  committee 
was  appointed  to  draft  a  constitution  and  report  Saturday  evening, 
July  I.  At  this  meeting  the  constitution  was  presented,  adopted,  and 
an  organization  perfected  by  the  election  of  S.  W.  Andrews,  president, 
and  David  Reins,  secretary.  One  of  the  most  active  men  in  the  or- 
ganization of  this  society,  known  as  the  New  York  Typographical  So- 
ciety, was  Mr.  Samuel  Woodworth,  author  of  The  Old  Oaken  Bucket. 
All  efforts  to  secure  a  copy  of  this  constitution  for  the  present  article 
have  proved  futile.  From  the  start  the  society  took  what  was  at  that 
time  a  radical  stand  along  trade  lines,  though  embodying  in  its  plan  the 
beneficial  features  common  to  all  trade  societies  of  the  time. 

The  first  efforts  of  the  society  were  directed  toward  the  education 
of  the  journeymen  in  the  purposes  of  the  organization,  and  inducing 
them  to  join.  At  a  meeting  held  July  29  two  members  (pressmen  work- 
ing at  the  office  of  the  American  Citizen)  reported  that  when  they  noti- 
fied their  employer  that  they  could  not  longer  work  for  less  than  the 
customary  standard  of  wages  fixed  by  the  scale  of  1800,  they  were  both 
discharged  and  their  places  given  to  "two  strangers."  A  committee 
was  appointed  to  wait  on  the  "strangers,"  and  later,  when  this  commit- 
tee reported,  a  letter  was  ordered  to  be  sent  them  which  so  explicitly 
states  the  purpose  of  the  society  that  it  is  transcribed  in  full: 

"New  York,  August  25,   1809. 

"Gentlemen:  The  board  of  directors  of  the  New  York  Typograph- 
ical Society,  by  a  resolution  passed  the  19th  instant,  have  directed  me 
to  inform  you  that  the  customary  price  per  token  for  working  super- 
royal  paper  is  37^^  cents,  and  48  tokens  (which  is  supposed  to  be  the 
number  you  work  per  week)   at  that  price  would  amount  to  $18. 

"The  present  society,  however,  have  yet  no  established  prices,  either 
for  presswork  or  for  composition;  but  the  price  which  is  here  men- 
tioned is  that  which  was  instituted  by  a  former  association  in  this  city, 
and  which  we  believe  is  now  generally  conformed  to.  [This  was  the  so. 
ciety  of  1 799-1804.] 

"The  board  of  directors,  however,  actuated  only  by  motives  of  in- 
terest for  the  profession,  have  also  directed  me  to  inform  you  that,  hav- 
ing expressed  your  determination  to  use  all  honorable  means  to  increase 
the  wages,  both  of  compositors  and  pressmen,  if  necesary,  and  to  sup- 
port and  maintain  the  honor  and  dignity  of  the  trade,  the  best  manner 
in  which  you  could  evince  your  sincerity  would  be  by  joining  the  so- 
ciety, whose  objects  and  conduct  you  seem  to  have  mistaken.  To  estab- 
lish equitable  prices  for  our  labor  is  the  principal  object  for  which   we 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


17 


have  recently  associated,  and  which  we  hope  in  a  sliort  time  to  accom- 
plish. The  first  step  toward  this  is  an  increase  in  our  numbers,  and 
we  conceive  it  to  be  the  duty  and  the  interest  of  every  journeyman 
printer  in  the  city  to  come  forward  and  unite  with  his  fellow-craftsmen 
in  promoting  an  object  which  has  for  its  end  the  benefit  of  the  whole. 

"Should  you,  gentlemen,  conceive  the  above  observations  satisfac- 
tory and  have  a  desire  to  promote  the  objects  we  have  in  view,  I  would 
observe  that  the  board  of  directors  meet  every  Saturday  evening  at  the 
house  of  Mr.  Clark,  (Harmony  Hall),  to  whom  an  application  can  be 
made  at  any  of  tiieir  meetings.  "D.  II.  Reins,  Sec'y  N.  Y.  T.  S." 

The  organizers  of  this  society  began  at  once,  as  a  part  of  their  vig- 
orous policy,  to  open  communication  with  all  similar  organizations  in 
the  country,  to  which  they  mailed  a  circular  letter  dated  September  9, 
:8o9,  and  which  proposed  nothing  less  than  an  exchange,  from  time  to 
time,  of  what  is  today  known  as  "unfair  lists;"  tliat  is,  that  whenever  a 
printer  does  what  to  the  union  is  considered  an  unfair  thing  in  trade 
matters,  other  unions  shall  be  notified  of  the  fact.  That  this  principle 
was  then  new,  or  practically  so,  is  inferred  no  less  from  the  arguments 
used  in  the  circular  to  maintain  it,  than  from  the  letter  of  the  Phila- 
delphia society  in  reply.     Both  these  letters   follow: 

"New  York,  September  9,   1809. 

"Gentlemen:  In  all  classes  of  society  experience  has  proven  that 
there  have  been  men  who,  laying  aside  those  principles  of  honor  and 
good  faith  which  ought  to  govern  their  conduct  toward  their  brethren, 
and  for  a  mere  gratification  of  private  interest,  have  set  aside  the  obli- 
gations they  were  under  by  violating  the  ordinances  which  they  had 
pledged  themselves  to  maintain. 

"It  is  for  the  interest  of  the  profession  that  such  persons  (if  any 
there  are)  should  be  discountenanced;  and  to  the  end  that  the  knowl- 
edge of  their  sins  should  follow  them,  the  directors  of  the  New  York 
Typographical  Society  have  directed  me  to  open  a  correspondence  with 
you,  by  requesting,  if  compatible  with  your  constitution,  that  in  cases 
where  members  of  your  society  or   others   of  the   profession   may   have 

acted    dishonorably    toward    it,    and    should    leave   for    this   city, 

you  would  be  so  good  as  to  transmit  information  to  them,  the  favor  of 
which,  on  a  like  occasion,  would  be  reciprocated. 

"The  directors  of  the  N.  Y.  T.  S.  sincerely  hope  that  an  instance  of 
this  nature  may  never  have  to  be  recorded,  yet  it  appears  to  them  tliat 
the  adoption  of  a  rule  like  the  above  might  be  attended  with  mutual 
benefit.  There  is  nothing  wiiich  acts  more  powerfully  on  the  human 
mind  than  shame.  It  makes  the  coward  bold,  the  miser  generous;  and 
it  is  to  be  hoped  that  it  will  ever  deter  a  journeyman  printer  from  con- 
ducting unworthily  toward  his  brethren  when  innate  principle  is  want- 
ing. 

"Accept   the   assurance   of   my  esteem    for   you   gentlemen,   and    my 

sincere  wishes  for  the  prosperity  of  the  society. 

"D.  H.  Reins.  Sec'y  N.   Y.   T.  S.' 


l8  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

To  this  elaborate  argument  for  and  cautious  statement  of  one  of 
the  protective  features  of  unionism,  so  universally  understood  today 
that  it  is  never  stated  in  terms,  the  following  equally  remarkable  reply 
was  received  from  the  Philadelphia  society.  The  "second  letter  of  the 
23d"  referred  to  was  one  announcing  the  completion  of  the  wage  scale 
of  September  20  by  the  New  York  society. 

"Philadelphia,  October  28,  1809. 

"Sir:  Your  letter  of  the  i8th  ultimo  and  23d  instant  came  duly  to 
hand,  and  I  have  to  apologize  for  the  delay  in  forwarding  an  answer. 

"That  of  the  i8th  embraced  a  principle  which  was  not  readily  ac- 
ceded to — and  the  consideration  of  it  was  twice  referred  to  the  opinion 
of  a  select  committee — a  report  was  made  this  evening  and  finally 
adopted  by  the  following  words:  'The  committee  thinks  proper  to  re- 
port that  they  have  considered  the  letter  referred  to  them,  and  are  of 
the  opinion  that  the  principle  set  forth  therein  is  a  good  one,  and  will 
have  a  tendency  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  two  societies,  therefore, 

"  'Resolved,  That  whenever  any  member  of  this  society  shall  act  de- 
rogatory to  the  principles  of  this  constitution,  and  shall  leave  this  city 
for  New  York,  information  shall  immediately  be  forwarded  to  the  New 
York  Typographical   Society.' 

"As  I  am  decidedly  opposed  to  the  principle,  it  can  not  be  expected 
that  I  should  dilate  upon  it.  I  beg  leave,  however,  to  assure  you  that 
the  will  of  the  majority  is  my  guide,  and  that  I  shall  consider  it  my 
duty  to  act  in  strict  conformity  to  the  resolution. 

"Your  second  letter  of  the  23d  instant  has  given  inexpressible 
pleasure  to  the  members  of  the  board  and  of  the  society  in  general. 
The  energetic  measure  you  have  taken,  had  been  so  long  wanting  in  the 
respectable  city  of  New  York  that  the  friends  of  equal  rights  reflect 
with  disgust  upon  the  humiliating  condition  in  which  our  brethren  suf- 
fered themselves  to  remain  there;  and  the  following  hope  now  held 
forth  that  they  have  broken  their  manacles  with  a  determination  that 
they  shall  never  be  riveted  again,  will  be  fostered  and  cherished,  nay, 
assisted,  as  far  as  constitutionally  may  lay  in  their  power.  But  the  old 
adage  will  here  apply,  and  should  be  attentively  considered:  'He  that 
will  not  help  himself  shall  have  help  from  nobody.'  Persevere  in  your 
laudable  struggle,  and  remember  that  no  great  end  was  ever  yet  at- 
tained without  danger  and  difficulty. 

"Be  pleased  to  accept  my  best  wishes  and  regards  for  your  society, 
and  believe  that  I  am,  with  the  sincerest  respect,  your  humble  servant, 

"John  Childs, 
"President  Typographical  Society   of  Philadelphia." 

September  20,  1809,  the  society  adopted  a  scale  of  prices,  no  copy 
of  which  has  been  found,  but  which  it  is  known  did  little  more  than  re- 
store the  scale  of  1800  on  common  work  while  providing  for  the  classes 
of  work  not  covered  by  any  former  standard  of  wages. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


A   circular   letter    was   printed   and   sent    to   tlie   master    printers,    of 
which  a  copy  follows: 


TO    THE    MASTER    PRINTERS    OF    THE    CITY    OF    NEW    YORK. 

"Gentlemen:  Between  employers  and  employed  there  are  mutual 
interests  depending,  mutual  duties  to  perform.  To  the  end  that  these 
may  result  in  harmony,  certain  rules  and  regulations  should  be  adopted. 
Therefore,  we,  the  journeymen  printers  of  the  city  of  New  York,  having 
duly  and  deliberately  taken  into  consideration  the  present  irregular 
state  of  the  prices  in  many  of  the  printing  offices,  and  conceiving  that 
they  are  inadequate  to  a  comfortable  subsistence,  have  united  them- 
selves into  an  association  for  the  purpose  of  regulating  and  establishing 
the  same.  The  annexed  list,  framed  with  a  due  deference  to  justice 
and  equitability,  is  presented  with  a  view  that  it  may  meet  your  appro- 
bation." 

Upon  receipt  of  the  above  the  master  printers  formed  an  organiza- 
tion, and  as  a  first  move  asked  for  a  postponement  of  the  date  when  the 
new  regulations  should  go  into  effect.  This  the  journeymen  declined. 
To  gain  time,  the  masters'  association  then  agreed  to  the  demands,  but 
at  once  began  to  advertise  in  other  cities  and  towns  for  printers,  offer- 
ing good  wages  and  permanent  positions.  As  an  offset,  the  Typograph- 
ical Society's  board  of  directors  instructed  the  secretary  to — 

"Inform  the  different  typographical  societies  in  the  United  States 
that  this  board  have  reason  to  believe  that  it  is  the  object  of  the  mas- 
ter printers  of  this  city,  by  advertising  for  a  great  number  of  working- 
men,  to  fill  the  city  with  hands  and  thereby  be  enabled  to  reduce  the 
prices  of  work  in  this  city  to  their  former  standard." 

The  members  of  the  society  were  instructed  to  send  information  of 
the  situation  by  letter  to  all   outside  journeymen  of  their  acquaintance. 

Evidently  the  master  printers  were  having  some  success  with  their 
plan,  and,  to  bring  the  matter  to  immediate  issue,  the  Typographical  So- 
ciety called  a  strike,  beginning  October  30,  1809,  for  the  enforcement 
of  their  scale.  Most  of  the  master  printers  soon  agreed  to  the  scale, 
but  quite  a  number  fought  the  issue  bitterly,  and  what  was  for  that 
time  a  strike  of  considerable  duration  resulted.  Strike  benefits  were 
paid  weekly,  and  it  is  not  until  December  18  that  the  last  entry  on  the 
minutes  is  found  recording  money  appropriated  to  the  "brethren  who 
had  been  thrown  out  of  employ  in  consequence  of  their  refusing  to 
work  for  less  than  the  established  prices." 

During  this  strike  the  society  discovered  that  one  of  its  members 
had  secretly  arranged  to  work  for  less  than  the  scale  in  an  office  osten-. 
sihly  paying  the  society's  rate  of  wages.  Immediately  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  society  refused  to  work  in  tlie  office  with  him,  and  requested 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


that  he  not  only  be  expelled  from  the  society  but  that  his  name  be  sent 
to  the  other  societies.  For  some  time  the  society  was  busy  expelling 
members  who  had  secretly  worked  below  the  scale  during  the  strike. 
However,  the  struggle  had  cleared  the  atmosphere  perceptibly. 

As  showing  the  situation  before  the  strike,  it  may  be  stated  that 
the  report  of  a  committee  appointed  by  the  society  to  "investigate  the 
state  of  trade"  and  "list  those  working  for  less  than  the  established 
price"  showed  compositors  working  at  20  cents  per  1,000  ems,  pressmen 
working  at  25  cents  per  token  (240  sheets),  and  numberless  boys  at 
from  $4  to  $4.50  per  week.     At  one  office  they  report: 

"There  is  a  man  working  at  press  who  occupies  the  situation  of  two 
journeymen,  who  is  said  to  have  served  no  apprenticeship  at  the  busi- 
ness." 

Out  of  their  experience  came  an  amendment  to  their  by-laws, 
passed  December  23,  within  a  week  after  the  close  of  the  strike: 

"No  person  shall  be  admitted  a  member  of  this  society  unless  he 
shall  have  duly  and  regularly  served  the  term  of  three  years  as  an 
apprentice  to  one  branch,  namely,  either  as  a  compositor  or  as  a  press- 
man." 

On  December  30,  1809,  they  issued  a  circular  letter,  going  into  the 
■whole  matter  of  "half-way  journeymen,"  afterwards  called  "two-third- 
ers,"  and  the  laxity  of  apprenticeship  regulations.  It  was  addressed  to 
the  employers,  and  as  it  is  the  earliest  survey  of  the  situation  in  the 
trade  from  the  workman's  point  of  view  it  is,  notwithstanding  its  length, 
given  in  full  below: 


TO    THE       MASTER    PRINTERS    OF    THE    CITY    OF    NEW    YORK. 

"Gentlemen:  Viewing  with  deep  concern  the  improper  practices 
in  many  of  the  printing  offices  in  this  city,  the  journeymen  composing 
the  New  York  Typographical  Society  have  appointed  the  undersigned 
committee  to  address  you  on  the  subject,  and  represent  the  many  evil 
effects  they  have  on  the  art  of  printing  in  general  and  its  demoralizing 
effects  on  its  professors. 

"The  practice  of  employing  what  is  termed  'halfway  journeymen' 
in  preference  to  those  who  have  served  their  time,  while  it  holds  out 
encouragement  to  boys  to  elope  from  their  masters,  as  soon  as  they 
acquire  a  sufficient  knowledge  of  the  art  to  be  enabled  to  earn  their 
bread,  is  a  great  grievance  to  journeymen,  and  almost  certain  ruin  to 
the  boys  themselves.  Becoming  masters  of  their  own  conduct  at  a 
period  of  life  when  they  are  incapable  of  governing  their  passions  and 
propensities,  they  plunge  headlong  into  every  species  of  dissipation, 
and  are  often  debilitated  by  debauchery  and  disease  before  they  arrive 
at  the  state  of  manhood.  And  it  also  tends  to  an  unnecessary  multi- 
plication    of    apprentices,     inasmuch    as    the    place    of    every    boy    who 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  2I 

elopes  from  his  master  is  usually  supplied  by  another,  while  at  the 
same  time  the  runaway  supplies,  after  a  manner,  the  place  of  a  regular 
journeyman,  and  one  who,  probably,  has  a  family  dependent  on  his 
labor  for  support. 

"We  would  also  beg  leave  to  call  your  attention  to  a  practice  as 
illiberal  and  unjust  as  the  former,  and  attended,  perhaps,  with  evils 
of  a  more  aggravating  nature.  We  mean  that  of  taking  grown  men 
(foreigners)  as  apprentices  to  some  twelve  or  fifteen  months,  when 
they  are  to  be  turned  into  the  situations  of  men  who  are  masters  of 
their  business;  which  men  are  to  be  turned  out  of  their  places  by  mis- 
erable botches,  because  they  will  work  for  what  they  can  get.  By 
these  means  numbers  of  excellent  workmen,  who  ought  to  be  orna- 
ments to  the  profession,  are  driven  by  necessity  to  some  other  means 
of  support.  When  a  parent  puts  out  a  child  to  learn  an  art,  it  is  with 
the  pleasing  idea  that  a  knowledge  of  that  art  will  enable  him,  when 
he  becomes  a  man,  to  provide  for  himself  a  comfortable  subsistence. 
Did  he  know  that  after  laboring  from  his  youth  to  manhood  to  acquire 
our  art  he  would  be  compelled  to  abandon  it  and  resort  to  some  busi- 
ness with  which  he  was  totally  unacquainted  to  enable  him  to  live,  he 
would  certainly  prefer  that  he  should  in  the  first  instance  seek  a  liveli- 
hood on  the  sea,  or  by  some  other  precarious  calling,  than  trust  to  the 
equally  precarious  success  of  a  trade  overstocked  by  its  professors.  Of 
the  number  that  have  completed  their  apprenticeship  to  the  printing 
business  within  the  last  five  years,  but  few  have  been  enabled  to  hold 
a  situation  for  any  length  of  time.  .  And  it  is  an  incontrovertible  fact, 
that  nearly  one-half  who  learn  the  trade  are  obliged  to  relinquish  it 
and  follow  some  other  calling  for  support. 

"Under  the  direful  influence  of  the  unwarrantable  practices,  the 
professors  of  the  noblest  art  with  w^hich  the  world  is  blessed,  have  be- 
come "birds  of  passage,"  seeking  a  livelihood  from  Georgia  to  Maine. 
It  is  owing  to  such  practices  that  to  acknowledge  yourself  a  printer  is 
to  awaken  suspicion  and  cause  distrust.  It  is  owing  to  such  practices 
that  the  professors  of  the  noble  art  are  sinking  in  the  estimation  of  the 
community.  And  it  will  be  owing  to  such  practices,  if  persisted  in, 
thnt  to  see  a  book  correctly  printed  will,  in  a  few  years,  be  received 
as  a  phenomenon. 

"To  render  an  art  respectable  it  is  indispensably  necessary  that 
its  professors  should  be  perfect  masters  of  their  calling,  which  can 
only  be  acquired  by  serving  a  proper  apprenticeship.  And,  in  our  art, 
it  is  not  always  time  that  perfects  the  printer.  For  it  is  too  often  the 
case,  that  boys  of  little  or  no  education  are  taken  as  apprentices  which 
the  first  services  as  devil  frequently  preclude  the  knowledge  of,  until 
they  are  bound,  when  the  discovery  is  too  late  to  be  remedied.  Owing 
to  the  deficiency,  they  make  but  sorry  printers;  whereas,  had  they 
learned  some  trade  which  does  not  particularly  require  a  good  educa- 
tion, they  might  have  been  perfect  masters  of  it  and  better  able  to  gain 
a  livelihood.  These  are  evils,  gentlemen,  which  we  sorely  feel,  and 
which   it  is  in  your  power  to  remedy;   and  we  sincerely  hope  that  this 


22  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

appeal  to  your  justice  and  humanity  may  meet  with  that  consideration 
which  its  importance  demands,  (a) 

"D.  H.   Reins. 

"W.     BURBRIDGE. 

"S.    Johnson." 

A  letter  from  the  Philadelphia  society  in  September,  1810,  in- 
formed the  New  York  City  organization  of  the  new  wage  scale,  that 
of  September  20,  and  the  strike  for  its  enforcement  in  the  former  city. 
Immediately  an  extra  meeting  of  the  Ilew  York  society  was  called  to 
act  upon  it.  The  following  extract  from  the  minutes  shows  how  a 
feeling  of  unity  of  interest  was  rapidly  growing  among  the  workmen 
of  the  neighboring  cities  of  that  date.  The  minutes  are  those  of  the 
special  or  called  meeting: 

"A  letter  was  read  from  the  journeymen  printers  of  Philadelphia, 
accompanied  with  a  circular  list  of  prices,  which  they  are  now  standing 
out  for,  and  urging  us  to  co-operate  with  them  in  order  to  obtain  their 
just  demands;  and  the  board,  conceiving  the  nature  of  the  communica- 
tion   of    the    utmost    importance,    came    to    the    immediate    resolution    of 


a  It  is  impossible  to  read  this  circular,  and  the  subsequent  struggle 
the  unions  had  for  fifty  years  with  the  runaway-apprentice  and  "two- 
thirder"  problems  without  recalling  that  oldest  of  journeymen  printers' 
documents,  preserved  in  the  British  Museum,  and  quoted  in  full  by 
Brentano  in  his  History  and  Development  of  Guilds  (note  to  p.  97),  as 
follows: 

The  case  and  proposals  of  the  free  journeymen  printers  in  and 
about  London  humbly  submitted  to  consideration.  Licensed  October  23, 
1666. 

Whereas  there  are  at  this  present  in  and  about  the  city  of  London, 
to  the  number  of  140  workmen  printers,  or  thereabouts  who  have  served 
seven  years  to  the  art  of  printing,  under  lawful  master  printers,  and 
are  reduced  to  great  necessities  and  temptations  for  want  of  lawful  em- 
ployment, occasioned  partly  by  supernumary  apprentices  and  turnovers, 
which  have  increased  the  number  almost  twice  as  many,  on  the  whole, 
as  would  be  sufficient  to  discharge  all  the  public  and  lawful  work  of  the 
kingdom.  The  workmen  printers  above-mentioned,  etc.,  propose:  i. 
That  no  foreigners  (tliat  is  to  say)  such  an  one  as  has  not  served  seven 
years  to  the  art  of  printing,  under  a  lawful  master  printer,  as  an  ap- 
prentice, may  be  entertained  and  employed  by  any  master  printer  for 
the  time  to  come.  2.  That  a  provision  may  be  made  to  hinder  the  in- 
crease of  apprentices  and  a  limitation  appointed  as  to  the  number,  etc. 
3.  That  no  turnovers  be  received  by  any  master  printer,  but  from  a  mas- 
ter printer;  and  that  no  master  printer  turning  over  any  apprentice  to 
another  master  printer  may  be  permitted  to  take  any  other  apprentice 
in  his  place  till  the  full  time  of  the  said  apprentice  so  turned  over  be 
expired;  for,  otherwise,  the  restraint  and  limitation  of  apprentices  will 
be  evaded,  and  the  number  supplied  by  turnovers. 

It  is  significant  to  note  that  the  remedy  proposed  by  this  first  craft 
guild  of  London  printers  in  1666 — i.  e.,  limitation  on  the  number  of  ap- 
prentices was  precisely  the  one  eventually  adopted  by  the  typographical 
societies  in  the  United  States,  beginning  with  the  New  Orleans  Society 
in  1839,  and  finally  adopted  by  the  Washington  (D.  C.)  Union  in  its 
constitution  of  1867,  the  last  of  the  local  unions  to  adopt  the  measure. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


23 


convening  the  general  society,  and  the  following  was  immediately 
passed: 

"  'Resolved,  That  a  general  extra  meeting  of  this  society  be  called 
on  Monday,  the  24th  instant,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  general  infor- 
mation to  the  members  of  the  proceedings  of  the  journeymen  printers  of 
Philadelphia. 

"  'Resolved,  Unanimously,  that  we  highly  approve  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  our  typographical  brethren  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia  in  the  de- 
mand  for  a  raise  of  prices. 

"  'Resolved,  etc..  That  we  pledge  ourselves  to  each  other  that  we 
will  not  take  any  situation  vacated  by  any  of  our  brethren  in  Phila- 
delphia under  the  present  circumstances. 

"  'Resolved,  etc.,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  members  of  this 
society  to  make  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  known  as  general  as 
possible. 

"  'Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  transmitted  by 
the  secretary   to  the   Philadelphia  Typographical   Society.'  " 

On  .Xugust  7,  181 1,  the  society  added  an  article  to  its  constitution 
limiting  the  age  at  which  apprentices  at  presswork  may  begin  and  pro- 
hibiting members  from  working  with  men  receiving  less  than  the  scale. 
The  words  of  the  amendment  were: 

"No  member  of  this  society  shall  be  permitted  to  take  with  him  as 
a  companion  at  press  a  person  who  is  of  full  age  at  tlie  commencement 
of  his  apprenticeship;  nor  shall  any  member  of  the  society  work  in 
an  office  where  a  person  is  employed  for  less  than  our  established 
prices,  under  the  penalty  of  expulsion  in  either  case." 

A  side  light  is  thrown  on  the  conditions  which  furnish  a  justifica- 
tion from  the  trade-unionist  point  of  view,  for  the  first  provision  of 
the  above  article,  when  on  July  24,  1813,  a  committee  reports  on  a 
proposition  for  membership.  This  applicant  proves  to  have  been  a 
weaver  by  trade;  but  as  weaving  "gave  him  a  pain  in  the  breast,"  he 
got  a  situation  in  a  livery  stable.  I'-rom  that  he  went  into  a  printing 
office  as  a  pressman.  Even  his  employer  testified  before  the  committee 
that  when  he  came  to  work  for  him  "he  did  not  know  how  to  scrape 
a  ball,  and  by  his  appearance  and  conduct  thought  he  was  never  in  a 
printing  office  before."  The  society  refused  him  admission  "since  he  is 
a  weaver,  not  a  printer."  Apprenticeship  was  felt  to  be  their  only 
protection,  and  as  a  safeguard  the  pressmen  (who  worked  in  pairs) 
were  prohibited  from  taking  as  companion  a  man  who  had  "broken 
into  the  trade"  after  he  was  21   years  of  age. 

Early  in  181 5  the  society  began  debating  the  question  of  a  new 
wage  scale.  One  was  finally  adopted  October  7,  1815,  a  copy  of  which 
will  be  found  in  the  Appendix  hereto.  (Appendix  B,  No.  i.)  This 
scale  further  restricted  the  apprentices  by  requiring  the  employer  to 
pay  the  pressmen  an  extra  piece  price  where  apprentices  were  being 
taught  the  trade.  Not  only  did  the  society  adopt  a  new  scale,  raising 
the  rates  to  27  cents  per   1,000  ems  and  $9  per  week,  but  at  the  same 


24 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


meeting,  by  unanimous  vote,  adopted  a  resolution  that  "a  committee 
of  three  be  appointed  to  confer  with  the  different  typographical  societies 
in  the  United  States,  the  duty  of  which  committee  shall  be  to  induce 
(if  possible)  the  journeymen  of  Philadelphia,  and  Albany  in  particular, 
to  raise  their  prices  to  at  least  the  same  standard  as  ours." 

The  new  wage  scale  was  accepted  by  most  of  the  employers,  but 
involved  the  society  in  a  strike  for  its  enforcement  in  a  few  minor 
offices.  From  a  clause  in  a  letter  the  New  York  society  sent  to  the 
societies  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and  Washington,  D.  C,  in  1816,  in  response 
to  notices  of  the  adoption  of  new  wage  scales  by  those  societies,  it  will 
be  seen  that  the  employers  of  New  York  were  the  first  to  insist  upon 
or  at  least  suggest  the  idea  of  a  uniform  wage  scale  for  the  entire 
country,  an  idea  which  for  other  reasons  agitated  the  various  societies 
for  nearly  a  half  century  afterwards.     The  clause  referred  to  states: 

"That  you  should  pursue  the  measures  you  are  now  pursuing  has 
been  the  desire  of  both  the  journeymen  and  employers  of  this  city 
for  the  following  reasons:  It  was  urged  by  the  employers  last  summer, 
when  our  journeymen  made  a  demand  for  higher  wages,  that  unless 
journeymen  in  other  places  would  raise  their  prices  to  an  equilibrium 
with  those  we  had  presented,  it  would  induce  the  booksellers  to  send 
their  work  out  of  the  city,  as  the  difference  in  the  price  for  which 
work  could  be  done  elsewhere  would  more  than  pay  for  the  transporta- 
tion." 

It  must  be  remembered  that  at  this  time  and  for  nearly  a  quarter 
of  a  century  afterwards  newspapers  employed  such  a  small  percentage 
of  the  printers  that  the  societies  paid  little  attention  to  anything  else 
than  the  book  and  job  offices. 

After  the  strike  to  enforce  the  wage  scale  of  1815  the  society  had 
again  to  discipline  a  number  of  its  members.  Some  of  the  early  socie- 
ties had  admitted  to  membership  employers  who  paid  the  scale.  While 
this  society  had  never  done  this,  a  member  who  had  been  admitted  as 
a  journeyman  did  not  lose  any  of  his  rights  in  the  society  by  becoming 
an  employer.  The  obligation  or  pledge  required  members  not  only  to 
demand  the  scale  of  prices  as  journeymen,  but  to  pay  it  should  they 
become  "masters."  The  experiences  of  the  strike  forced  a  new  measure 
upon  the  organization.  The  temper  of  the  society  was  to  be  tested  by 
the  trial  of  an  extreme  case,  and  one  member  who  had  become  an  em- 
ployer subsequent  to  joining  the  society  was  brought  up  on  a  charge 
having  six  separate  counts,  three  of  which  read  as  follows: 

"First.  For  an  attempt,  in  combination  with  a  few  employing 
printers,  to  lessen  the  established  wages  of  journeymen. 

"Second.  For  introducing  into  the  printing  business  men  wholly 
unacquainted  with   it  to  the  exclusion   of  regular-bred   workmen. 

"Third.  For  refusing  to  give  employment  to  members  of  this  so- 
ciety and  employing  one  not  a  member  in  preference — a  direct  violation 
of  the  solemn  pledge  he  has  repeatedly  given  us." 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    I'RINTERS 


25 


The  other  three  charges  were,  in  substance,  that  he  had  given  cur- 
rency among  the  masters  to  tlie  plans  and  purposes  of  the  society 
contrary  to  his  obligation;  that  he  had  permitted  his  name  to  be  added 
to  the  advertisement  of  other  employers  in  advertising  for  "strangers" 
to  come  to  New  York  and  take  the  places  of  the  striking  printers; 
and  lastly,  that  he  i.ad  injured  his  brotiier  members  of  the  society. 
On  motion,  a  resolution  of  expulsion  was  passed,  which  resolution  pro- 
vided: "And  his  name,  with  the  nature  of  his  offense,  be  transmitted 
to  the  different  typographical  societies  in  the  United  States."  To  safe- 
g^uard  the  future  and  make  permanent  tlie  lesson  learned,  the  by-laws 
were  amended  by  the  addition  of  the  following: 

"Experience  teaches  us  that  the  actions  of  men  are  influenced  almost 
wholly  by  their  interests,  and  that  it  is  almost  impossible  a  society  can 
be  regulated  and  useful  where  its  members  are  actuated  by  opposite 
motives  and  separate  interests.  This  society  is  a  society  of  journey- 
men printers,  and  as  the  interests  of  the  journeymen  are  separate  and 
in  some  respects  opposite  to  that  of  the  employers,  we  deem  it  im- 
proper that  they  should  have  any  voice  or  influence  in  our  deliberation; 
therefore, 

"Resolved,  That  when  any  member  of  this  society  shall  become  an 
employing  printer  he  shall  be  considered  without  the  limits  of  the 
society  and  not  to  vote  on  any  question,  or  pay  any  dues  in  the  same." 

No  device  was  to  be  permitted  to  lessen  the  piece  price  of  a  quan- 
tity named  in  the  scale.  Under  the  old  system  of  printing  playing 
cards  but  one  was  printed  at  a  time.  Some  master  printer  devised  a 
scheme  of  setting  up  two  cards  in  a  form  and  then  claimed  a  reduction 
from  the  pressmen's  scale  for  presswork.  The  meeting  of  June  7,  181 7, 
was  devoted  to  a  solution  of  the  problem:  "If  two  cards  of  the  same 
be  set  and  worked  two  at  a  pull  shall  they  be  charged  less  than  if  they 
were  worked  singly?"  The  decision  of  the  society  was  that  "every 
52  cards  so  worked  be  charged  a  pack."  (a)  Members  were  held  to  hon- 
est work  for  their  employers  and  expelled  from  the  society  for  an  un- 
workmanlike thing  as  surely  as  for  an  act  prejudicial  to  the  interests  of 
other  w-orkmen.  In  November,  181 7,  a  member  was  expelled  and  his 
name  sent  to  all  known  societies  because  he  had  "turned  wrong  a  half 
sheet  of  24's,  and  without  mentioning  the  fact  to  his  employers  left 
the  city,  even  neglecting  to  note  down  the  signature  letter  in  his  bill — 
conduct  highly  derogatory  to  the  New  York  Typographical  Society  and 
disgraceful  to  himself  as  a  member." 

Out  of   the  conditions  in   the  industry  were  rapidly  developed  the 


a  The  principle  involved  here  has  always  been  contended  for  by 
British  trade  unions,  but  not,  as  a  rule,  by  those  of  the  United  States, 
at  least  until  recently.  The  claim  is  that  labor  should  have  a  once- 
established  percentage  share  of  the  product,  regardless  of  time  involved 
in  its  production.  This  is  now  a  dictum  of  the  unions  that  seek  to  main- 
tain "a  competitive  equality"  among  employers,  but  is  not  a  part  of  the 
typographical  union's  creed. 


26  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

measures  which  soon  became  the  customs,  which,  ossifying,  became  the 
anatomy  of  subsequent  trade  unionism — the  bones  and  framework  of 
all  modern  organizations  along  trade  lines.  These  "fundamental  prin- 
ciples of  trade  unionism,"  which  are  never  now  expressed  in  constitu- 
tions, or  elaborated  in  resolutions,  because  too  thoroughly  understood 
to  be  expressed,  or  require  expression,  are  but  the  successful  experi- 
ments of  the  formative  period  in  its  life,  made  permanent  by  time; 
the  sediment  of  experience  petrified.  As  witness  to  this  development 
it  is  worthy  of  note  that  at  its  meeting  in  November,  1817,  the  society 
resolved  to  keep  a  register  of  members,  and  their  places  of  employment. 
One  member  was  appointed  as  the  representative  of  the  society  in  each 
printing  office,  and  at  each  meeting  as  their  names  were  read  they  must 
give  information  "as  to  the  state  of  trade  and  the  chances  of  employ- 
ment for  more  of  our  members."  A  list  of  those  out  of  work  was  also 
to  be  kept,  and  these  in  the  order  of  registration  were  to  be  notified 
of  any  vacancies  or  opportunities  for  employment  reported  at  each 
.meeting.  How  suggestive  this  is  of  the  "father  of  the  chapel,"  the 
"house  of  call,"  and  the  "waiting  list,"  and  each  of  the  early  societies 
developed  similar  features.  The  aggressive  element  was,  however,  being 
defeated  in  another  direction.  In  1816  the  society  had  made  applica- 
tion to  the  state  legislature  at  Albany  for  an  act  of  incorporation.  The 
assembly  passed  the  bill,  but  the  senate  inserted  an  amendment,  which, 
while  preserving  all  of  the  social  and  "benefit"  features  of  the  society, 
prohibited  it  from  interfering  in  any  manner  with  trade  matters,  or 
attempting  to  influence  the  wages  of  labor.  This  amendment  to  its 
bill  the  society  declined  to  accept,  and  the  matter  went  over  for  two 
years.  In  1818  the  bill  came  up  in  its  original  form  again,  and  was 
again  passed  by  the  assembly.  Mr.  Thurlow  Weed,  who  had  joined  the 
society  in  October,  1816,  just  after  it  had  established  its  wage  scale  of 
1815,  but  before  industrial  peace  had  been  entirely  secured,  had  charge 
of  the  society's  bill  in  Albany.  Mr.  Weed  seems  to  have  been  thor- 
oughly in  sympathy  with  the  trade  regulation  interests  of  the  organiza- 
tions, but  the  senate  was  not  to  be  moved.  After  two  years  of  effort 
to  secure  what  it  wanted  from  the  legislature,  the  society  finally  ac- 
cepted the  senate's  terms  and  adopted,  as  section  5  of  Article  I  of  its 
constitution,  the  following: 

"Sec.  S.  In  no  case  shall  the  society  interfere  in  respect  to  the 
price  of  labor."  (a) 

The  society  exists  to-day  and  is  financially  prosperous,  but  it 
passed  out  of  the  class  of  organizations  considered  in  this  article  by  its 
acceptance  of  this  legislative  charter  in  i8i8.  On  its  beneficial  side 
it  had  a  most  elaborate  system  for  the  relief  of  needy  members,  going 
so  far  as  to  furnish  and  pay  watchers  for  the  sick.  The  large  area  of 
its  jurisdiction   was   divided    into   sections    with   visiting  committees    for 

a  From  a  copy  of  the  constitution  as  printed  in  1833,  to  be  found 
in  the  library  of  congress. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATION'S    OF    PRINTERS  27 

each.  It  was  as  active  in  matters  of  mutual  benefit  and  help  as  on  its 
trade  side.  The  mutual  aid  element  in  these  early  societies  has  been 
fully  written  up  heretofore  by  scholars  who,  judging  only  from  their 
printed  constitution,  and  not  having  access  to  the  minutes  or  records, 
have  assumed  that  they  were  merely  mutual  aid  and  burial  societies. 
There  is  no  disposition  here  to  question  or  even  to  ignore  this  element 
in  these  societies,  but  to  bring  to  light  from  the  minutes  the  evidence 
that  whatever  livery  of  charitable  clubs  they  wore  in  public,  in  their 
hall  rooms  they  were  labor  organizations. 

Considerable  space  has  been  given  to  this  New  York  society  of 
1809  because  of  its  trade  aggressiveness.  In  trade  matters  it  was  the 
stormy  petrel  of  the  early  societies,  and  but  for  the  clipping  of  its 
wings  in  :8i8  the  societies  organized  in  the  movement  of  181 5  to  1820 
would  probably,  under  its  influence,  have  been  as  distinctively  and  as 
openly  trade  unions  as  were  those  organized  from   1830  to   1850. 

In  order  to  follow  more  closely  the  career  of  this  New  York  Typo- 
graphical Society  from  its  inception  to  the  surrender  of  its  trade  in- 
fluence, there  has  been  some  sacrifice  of  strict  chronological  arrange- 
ment. It  remains,  however,  but  to  state  that  from  the  time  of  its  or- 
ganization, July  I,  1809,  until  it  ceased  to  be  a  labor  force  in  18 18,  it 
had  enrolled  237  members. 

During  the  war  of  181 2  the  secretary  of  the  society,  Mr.  David  H. 
Reins,  organized  a  company  of  artillery  composed  entirely  of  printers 
for  the  defense  of  the  harbor  of  New  York;  just  as  the  Philadelphia 
society,  by  unanimous  vote  in  September,  1814,  resolved  to  appropriate 
one  day's  labor  for  each  of  its  members  "on  the  fortifications  now 
erecting  for  the  defense  of  the  city,"  and  on  October  14,  1814,  ap- 
pointed a  committee  of  three  "whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  receive  applica- 
tions of  the  wives  of  such  members  of  this  society  now  absent  in  the 
service  of  the  country,  under  the  requisition  of  the  president  thereof, 
as  may  stand  in  need  of  assistance,  and  that  they  report  at  every 
meeting  of  the  directory  the  sum  they  think  proper  to  be  allowed  to 
each." 

The  Philadelphia  society,  after  passing  the  resolution  of  Decem- 
ber, 1808,  forbidding  its  members  to  instruct  an  apprentice  who  was 
more  than  18  years  of  age  at  the  commencement  of  his  apprenticeship, 
and  providing  for  the  transmission  to  other  societies  of  the  names  of 
expelled  members,  as  elsewhere  referred  to,  followed  this  up  in  March, 
1809,  by  requiring  all  members  to  take  the  obligation  formerly  exacted 
only  from  officers,  including  the  pledge  "that  I  will  procure  employ- 
ment for  any  member  or  members  of  this  society  in  preference  to  any 
other  when  occasion  may  require." 

Early  in  1809  the  society  began  proceedings  to  secure  incorpora- 
tion. Some  alteration  in  the  constitution  was  required  by  the  courts 
preliminary  thereto,  though  the  exact  character  of  the  change  does  not 
appear  on  the  minutes.  In  December,  1809,  however,  "the  committee 
appointed  to  procure  an  incorporation  reported  that  the  constitution 
had  been  handed  to  the  judge  of  the  supreme  court  for  signature  on 
that   day    and    that    Mr.    Franklin's    fee    as    counsel    was    $8,    which    he 


28  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

would  not  accept,  but  returned  to  the  committee  as  a  donation  to  the 
funds  of  the  society." 

July  14,  1810,  the  initiation  fee  was  raised  to  $5  and  a  clause  added 
to  its  constitution  which  has  caused  the  downfall  of  more  societies 
than  any  other  one  thing  with  which  they  had  to  contend,  to  the  effect 
that  members  who  paid  their  dues  for  twenty  years  became  "free  mem- 
bers," entitled  to  all  the  benefits  of  the  society  for  life  without  further 
payment.     The  effect  of  this  will  be  referred  to  elsewhere. 

In  September,  1810,  the  society  presented  a  new  scale  of  prices  to 
the  employers,  which  seems  to  have  been  unsatisfactory.  No  copy  of 
this  price  list  has  been  found.  A  strike  for  its  enforcement  seems  to 
have  been  a  disastrous  failure,  almost  depleting  the  society's  treasury 
and  greatly  reducing  its  membership.  At  the  beginning  of  1810  there 
were  119  members  in  good  standing,  14  joined  during  the  year,  and  78 
resigned  or  were  expelled,  leaving  the  membership  55,  or  only  one 
more  than  in   1802  at  its  close  of  the  first  year  of  existence. 

Apart  from  its  patriotic  attitude  in  1814,  referred  to  above,  the 
benevolent  features  of  the  society  occupied  its  energies  until  June, 
1816,  when  the  pressmen  formulated  a  scale  and  issued  the  following 
address  to  the  employers.  A  similar  statement  was  issued  by  the  com- 
positors, bearing  the  indorsement  of  the  society,  which  raises  the  ques- 
tion as  to  whether  the  pressmen  belonged  to  the  society  or  whether 
the  society  as  such  indorsed  only  the  demands  of  the  compositors  and 
not  those  of  the  pressmen.  The  only  copy  of  this  address  and  price  list 
found  was  transcribed  on  the  minutes  of  the  New  York  Typographical 
Society  as  a  communication  from  Philadelphia.  The  document  itself 
seems  to  emanate  from  a  mass  meeting  rather  than  from  the  society. 
The  Philadelphia  society  seems  not  to  have  become  a  purely  benevolent 
association  until  1831.  Whether  or  not  the  pressmen  acted  independ- 
ently of  the  society  in  this  matter  the  address  and  scale  is  worth  pre- 
serving here. 

"to    the   employing    printers   of   the   city    and   county   of    PHILADELPHIA. 

"Gentlemen:  The  pressmen  are  induced,  from  a  duty  which  they 
owe  to  themselves,  to  call  your  serious  attention  to  what  they  here 
present  you.  The  general  prices  that  they  now  receive  for  their  work 
were  established  fourteen  years  since  [by  the  scale  committee  of  1802]; 
it  will  therefore  appear  obvious  to  every  person  that  there  has  been  a 
great  increase  since  that  period  in  the  population  of  our  country,  like- 
wise a  wide  extension  of  our  commerce,  agriculture,  and  manufactures. 
The  consequence  has  been  a  very  considerable  rise  in  the  things  neces- 
sary for  the  comfort  of  man.  They  are  decidedly  of  the  opinion  that 
almost  all  mechanics  have  had  an  advance  in  their  wages  in  proportion 
to  the  rise  in  the  necessaries  of  life,  taken  in  the  aggregate;  while 
the  printer,  whose  profession  is  not  second  in  point  of  merit  to  any 
other,  is  left  as  it  were  to  stem  the  torrent  of  adversity  with  an  empty 
pocket.  Heaven  forbid  that  this  should  be  the  fate  of  those  whose 
labors   tend    so    essentially    to    the    promulgation    of    knowledge    through- 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


29 


out  our  extensive  country.  And  they  likewise  believe  it  to  be  an  indeli- 
ble fact,  long  since  established,  that  Philadelphia  is  famous  for  its 
workmen  in  the  art  preservative  of  all  arts,  both  in  skill  and  faculty; 
but  with  shame  they  are  compelled  to  say  (notwithstanding  our  city  is 
the  emporium  of  art)  that  they  receive  a  less  award  for  their  services 
than  is  awarded  in  any  of  the  other  cities  of  the  Union.  From  a  sense 
of  imperious  duty  incumbent  upon  them  as  respectable  members  of 
society,  they  now  make  the  demand,  fully  confident  that  it  is  moderate 
and  just.     The  laborer  is  worthy  of  his  hire. 

"They  therefore  anticipate  that  you  will,  with  liberality  becoming 
your  profession,  give  your  decided  approbation  to  the  annexed  scale 
of  prices.  Your  opposition  we  ought  not  to  expect.  We  are,  however, 
directed  by  the  meeting  to  inform  you  that  we  have  been  authorized 
and  directed  to  correspond  and  confer  with  you  individually,  or  to 
meet  any  committee  that  may  be  appointed  on  your  part  for  that  pur- 
pose. You  will,  therefore,  gentlemen,  please  to  inform  us  of  your  de- 
termination as  soon  as  possible,  as  we  have  to  report  to  the  next  meet- 
ing. On  our  part,  we  assure  you  that  we  will  use  our  utmost  endeavors 
in  this  conference  to  produce  a  good  understanding  and  to  avoid,  as 
far  as  possible,  those  inconveniences  and  altercations  which  invariably 
arise  out  of  an  imperfect  understanding,  well  aware  that  it  is  too  often 
cherished  by  those  whose  position  'does  not  command  a  view  of  the 
whole  ground.' 

"(Signed  by  order  of  the  meeting.)  "J.   C.  Dowden, 

"P.   Miller, 
"Geo.  IIitner, 
"John   Douglas, 
"O.   P.   Merrill, 
"Committee   on  behalf  of  the  Journeymen  Pressmen. 

"Philadelphia,  June  17,  1816. 


PRESSWORK. 

"Pressmen  to  receive  not  less  than  $9  per  week  for  10  hours 
work  per  day.  Paper — medium  and  below  medium,  not  less  than  33]/} 
cents  per  token;  when  the  number  is  less  than  four  tokens,  to  be 
charged  35  cents  per  token;  above  medium  37!^  cents  per  token;  stereo- 
type editions  to  be  charged  35  cents  per  token;  broadsides,  medium,  60 
cents  per  token;  royal,  75  cents  per  token.  Cards — for  one  pack  and 
not  exceeding  two  packs,  33^  cents;  when  the  number  exceeds  two 
packs,  to  be  charged  iz'/i  cents  per  pack. 

"The  result  of  this  appeal  is  not  known.  In  April,  181 7,  the  society 
appointed  a  committee  styled  The  Committee  of   Employ, 

"Whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  receive  the  name  or  names  of  such 
person  or  persons  belonging  to  this  society  as  shall  from  time  to  time 
be  out  of  employment,  which  committee  shall  thereupon  take  all  just 
and  honorable  methods  of  procuring  situations  for  such  applicants. 

"Said  committee  shall  meet  at  least  twice  in  every  month,  and 
shall  make  report  to  the  board  of  directors  at  every  meeting  thereof  of 


30 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


the  number  of  applicants  (designating  their  names),  and  generally  of 
the  progress  made  in  the  duties  of  said  committee,  which  report  shall 
be  duly  entered  on  the  minutes  by  the  secretary  and  read  at  each 
stated  meeting  of  the  society." 

From  time  to  time  committees  were  "appointed  to  investigate  the 
state  of  the  printing  business  in  this  city"  until  February  5,  1831, 
when,  by  resolution,  it  was  decided  "that  this  society  from  and  after 
the  first  day  of  April,  1831,  be  dissolved,"  and  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  turn  all  its  assets  into  cash  and  divide  the  funds  among 
the  members.  Before  the  date  set  for  dissolution  arrived,  however, 
namely,  February  12,  it  was  decided  "that  we  do  now  agree  to  form 
an  association  for  benevolent  purposes;"  and  that  while  the  cash  on 
hand  should  be  divided  among  the  members,  "the  library  and  book- 
case and  the  burial  lot"  should  be  given  to  the  new  organization,  pro- 
vided the  donor  of  the  burial  lot  (Mr.  Ronaldson)  would  consent  to 
the  transfer. 

Thus  died  the  trade  regulation  features  in  one  of  the  oldest  socie- 
ties. As  a  society  it  still  exists,  as  does  the  New  York  society  of  1809. 
Never  so  aggressively  industrial  as  some  of  the  others,  the  Philadelphia 
society  was  conservatively  a  trade  organization  from  1802  to  1831,  and 
even  after  that,  in  1832,  it  being  rumored  that  one  of  its  members  was 
about  to  employ  women  as  compositors,  and  had  offered  a  non-union 
printer  a  situation  as  foreman  in  case  women  were  emplowed,  the  feel- 
ing in  the  society  was  so  strong  that  the  member  in  question  felt  called 
upon  to  write  a  letter  to  be  spread  upon  the  minutes  of  the  society 
denying  that  he  had  ever  intended  to  employ  women,  (a) 

The  following  table,  compiled  from  the  records  of  this  society, 
shows  the  growth  in  membership  and  receipts  and  expenditures  for  half 

a  This  is  the  first  mention  found  of  women  in  the  trade.  Later  the 
question  became  of  utmost  importance  to  printers,  and  a  brief  summary 
of  its  history  seems  necessary  here,  since  the  final  disposition  did  not 
occur  until  after  the  date  set  as  a  limit  to  the  general  text  of  this  ar- 
ticle. January  17,  1835,  a  special  meeting  was  called  by  the  Washington 
(D.  C.)  Society  because  of  the  alarm  occasioned  by  a  statement  pub- 
lished in  a  local  paper  "that  girls  were  being  employed  as  compositors 
in  newspaper  offices  in  Philadelphia,"  to  break  a  strike.  Resolutions 
were  adopted  and  embodied  in  a  circular  letter  sent  to  the  typographical 
societies  of  Philadelphia,  Boston,  New  York  and  Baltimore,  asking  if 
any  girls  were  so  employed,  if  so,  how  many,  and  what  action  these  so- 
cieties "proposed  to  take  to  prevent  the  further  progress  of  this  evil?" 
The  records  do  not  show  that  any  replies  were  received.  The  national 
convention  of  1854  devoted  much  of  its  time  to  a  discussion  of  the 
"woman  question,"  as  the  Detroit  Union  had  asked  for  instructions  in 
the  matter.  The  proceedings  of  the  convention  contain  pages  of  resolu- 
tions on  all  sides  of  the  problem,  none  of  which  passed.  The  matter  was 
referred  to  a  committee  which  recommended  that  the  regulation  of  the 
subject  be  left  to  local  unions,  since  "the  employment  of  females,  as 
compositors,  can  never  become  so  general  or  extensive  as  to  affect  the 
trade  materially."  At  a  meeting  of  the  Boston  Typographical  Union 
held  June  _i4,  1856,  a  motion  that  "any  member  working  in  any  office 
that  employs  female  compositors  should  be  expelled  from  the  union," 
was  "laid  over"  for  future  consideration,  and  April  11,  1857,  the  same 
union  passed  a  resolution  "that  all   females  be  allowed  by  this  society  to 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIOXS    OK    I'RINTKRS 


31 


a  century,  from  its  organization  in    1802  to  the  date  set  as  tlie  limit  to 
this  article,  185^: 

STATISTICS  OF  MEMBERSHIP  AND  OF  RECEIPTS  AND  EXPEND- 
ITURES  DURING  THE  FIRST  HALF  CENTURY  OF  THE  PHILA- 
DELPHIA TYPOGRAPHICAL  SOCIETY. 


Died, 
resigned, 

or 
expelled. 


In  good 
stand- 
ing. 


Receipts. 


Dues, 
fines, 
initia- 
tions. 


180.64 
70.94 

162.00 
S2.62 


From 
other 
sources. 


116.87 

$3.75 

229.38 

48.00 

1(19.78 

48.70 

168.00 

44.00 

333.00 

52.00 

209.88 

31.00 

172.00 

833.00 

193.00 

65.34 

138.37 

74.90 

251.38 

70.34 

232.62 

78.19 

247.50 

95.93 

203.87 

95.67 

130.25 

67.92 

128.50 

21.98 

118.50 

35.75 

123.87 

314.09 

161.88 

71.54 

128.87 

62.81 

154.63 

999.05 

115.50 

73.25 

199.25 

80.25 

114.75 

76.50 

137.91 

91.00 

158.25 

297.12 

463.35 

429.36 

loo.no 

473.84 

112.00 

&»0.19 

45.00 

831.00 

70.00 

620.49 

77.65 

688.13 

88.10 

569.56 

KKI.(0 

729.24 

112.00 

835.24 

132.(W 

1,03(1.(4 

150.  (K) 

l,(Ki8.(4 

278.00 

1,156.21 

162.00 

1,161.15 

162.(10 

1,221. (K) 

162.00 

1,340.76 

162.00 

1,642.34 

163.10 

1.533.53 

162.00 

1.630.42 

162.00 

1.564.5(1 

328.90 

1.S08.12 

233.71 

Death, 
sick,  or 
out-of- 
work 
benefits. 


12.00 
41.00 
36.00 
65. W 
79.(10 
194. CHI 
101.00 
31. (Hi 
105.00 
103.00 
75.  W 
48.00 
129. (H) 
183. (HJ 
215. (HI 
270.00 
143. (H> 
114. 50 
259.5(1 
101.50 
36.CKI 
163.50 
162.(10 
248.00 
328. CO 
55. (HI 
368.57 
267. (HI 
150.00 
295.52 
297.54 
203.67 
462.84 
260.36 
267.72 
648.35 
1,331.84 
827,13 
1,293.35 
1,264.72 
782.99 
1.235.35 
1,362.16 
1.566.88 
l,8<il.69 
1.568.23 


Reorganization.    Funds  divided  equally. 


32  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

The  year  1815  was  a  memorable  one  for  printers'  societies.  Bos- 
ton, Mass.;  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and  Washington,  D.  C,  organized  during 
the  year,  and  while  the  date  of  the  organization  of  the  Baltimore  Typo- 
graphical Society  is  not  known,  the  first  mention  of  it  is  also  found 
during  this  year.  The  first  meeting  of  the  Washington  printers  for 
the  purpose  of  organization  was  held  December  10,  1814,  at  the  pri- 
vate house  of  Mr.  H.  L.  Lewis,  in  whose  parlor  the  society  met,  for 
some  years,  paying  him  $1  per  month  for  the  privilege.  At  this  first 
meeting  a  committee  was  appointed  to  draft  a  constitution,  "with  in- 
structions to  model  the  same  as  nearly  as  may  be  practicable  by  that 
of  the  Philadelphia  Typographical  Society."  This  committee  reported 
in  January,  1815;  the  constitution  was  adopted,  and  the  society  organ- 
ized with  19  members.  Nine  more  were  added  during  the  year,  making 
a  total  of  28  at  the  close  of  1815.  (a) 

A  copy  of  this  constitution  copied  from  the  records  of  the  society 
for  this  report  will  be  found  in  Appendix  A,  No.  2.  As  it  is  avowedly 
based  on  the  later  developments  of  that  of  Philadelphia,  no  copy  of 
which  subsequent  to  1802  was  found,  the  reader  should  compare  the  two 
for  himself. 

The  fact  should  not  be  overlooked  that  the  Washington  society 
(called  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society)  was  modeled  after  the 
most  conservative  and  largely  beneficial  of  the  earlier  societies — that  of 
Philadelphia;  while  that  of  Albany,  N.  Y.,  evidently  organized  at  the 
instigation  of  the  emissaries  from  the  New  York  City  society,  was  pat- 
terned after  that  more  agrressive  body.  But  if  the  "first  object  of  the 
Columbia  society  was  benevolence,"  it  also  proposed  to  "regulate 
prices,"  and  in  the  conflict  of  factions,  almost  evenly  divided  as  to 
numbers  (except  under  extreme  provocation,  as  in  1836),  it  was  at 
once  liberally  benevolent  and  conservatively  persistent  in  trade  matters, 
being  the  only  one  of  the  old  societies  that  has  survived  until  to-day, 
and  developed  into  a  modern  trade  union,  rather  than  a  mutual  benefit 
association. 

On  June    15,    1815,   a  committee   of  correspondence    was   appointed, 


work  in  all  branches  of  the  business,  provided  they  receive  the  scale  of 
prices  adopted  by  this  union."  The  Philadelphia  delegates  to  the  na- 
tional convention  of  1855  were  especially  "instructed  to  oppose  any 
recognition  of  the  employment  of  females  as  compositors."  Nearly 
every  national  convention  debated,  and  every  local  union,  in  cities  at 
least,  had  to  adopt  a  policy  in  regard  to  this  subject.  Finally  a  "union 
of  women  printers"  was  organized  in  New  York  city  in  1870  and  sought 
admission  to  the  national,  and  the  national  convention  of  1872  settled 
the  matter  by  admitting  women  to  full  membership  in  local  unions  and 
demanding  for  her  labor  the  same  price  paid  to  men. 

a  As  no  information  has  hitherto  been  obtainable  relative  to  the 
membership  of  these  organizations,  the  accessions  to  this  society,  by 
years,  is  here  noted  up  to  1840.  As  stated  above,  it  had  28  members  at 
the  close  of  1815.  In  1816  it  added  15  to  its  membership;  5  in  1817; 
9  in  1818;  5  in  1819;  9  in  1820;  6  in  1821;  5  in  1822;  14  in  1823;  10  in 
1824;  13  in  1825;  II  in  1826;  9  in  1827;  11  in  1828;  2  in  1829;  4  in 
1830;  II  in  1831;  7  in  1832;  5  in  1833;  71  in  1834;  33  in  1835;  17  in 
1836;  31  in  1837;  17  in  1838,  and  17  in  1839,  making  a  total  of  recorded 
names  in  twenty-five  years  of  365. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    I'RINTKRS 


33 


which  reported  July  i  that  it  had  sent  the  following  circular  letter  to 
the  typographical  societies  of  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  New  York, 
Albany,  and  Uoston.  The  copy  here  given  is  from  the  minutes  of  the 
original  society.  It  differs  in  phraseology  on  minor  points  from  the 
copy  made  from  the  records  of  the  New  York  society  as  received. 

"Washington,  July  — ,   1815. 
"To  the  President  of  the  Society,  at  ; 

"Sir — 15y  a  vote  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society,  we  were 
appointed  a  committee  of  correspondence:  In  pursuance  of  which  ap- 
pointment it  has  become  our  duty,  thro'  you,  to  address  the  society 
over  which  you  preside,  informing  them  of  the  organization,  in  the 
District  of  Columbia,  of  a  society  under  the  above  title:  having  for 
its  object,  first,  benevolence,  and,  second,  the  establishment  of  a  regu- 
lar system  of  prices.  In  the  obtainment  of  these  views,  we  feel  as- 
sured of  the  good  wishes  of  your  body,  as  well  as  of  every  friend  to 
the  profession. 

"In  the  infancy  of  associations  of  this  nature  difficulties  will  fre- 
quently occur,  tending  to  dampen  the  fondest  expectations  of  tlie 
most  sanguine.  That  we  have  had  to  contend  with  svich  difficulties  we 
will  not  attempt  to  deny,  but  by  a  determined  perseverance  on  the 
part  of  each  member,  they  have  been  caused  to  vanish,  and  we  now 
indulge  the  pleasing  hope  that  our  society  is  firmly  and  permanently 
established.  With  satisfaction  we  have  it  in  our  power  to  state  that, 
with  but  few  exceptions,  every  journeyman  in  this  District  is  now 
a  member  of  this  society.  The  few  who  are  not,  we  have  the  strongest 
reasons  for  asserting,  will  in  a  short  time  attach  themselves  to  us. 

"We  are  also  directed  to  state,  for  the  information  of  the  journey- 
men in  your  vicinity,  the  wages  given  in  the  District,  viz. : 

During  the  session  of  congress,  per  week $10  00 

Working  on   a   Sunday 2  00 

During  the  recess,  per  week 9  00 

For  pressmen  and  compositors — 

Composition,  per   1,000  ms.    for  brevier  and   upward 28 

Composition,  per   1,000  ms.  for  less  than  brevier 3iVi 

Presswork,    per   token iiVi 

Presswork,   per  token,   on   newspapers ijYz 

"Journeymen  are  altogether  employed  by  the  week  during  the  ses- 
sion of  Congress. 

"We  give  this  notice  with  a  hope  that  it  may  prevent  journeymen 
at  a  distance  engaging  at  less  prices  than  those  above  quoted. 

"With  a  request  that  reciprocal  communications  having  a  tendency 
to  benefit  the  profession  may  at  all  times  take  place, 

"We  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  yours,  etc.,  respectfully. 

"(Signed)         "Jas.    Petticrew. 
"].   Gideon,   Jr." 

This    letter    brought    but    two    replies,    one    from    Baltimore  (a)    and 
a  The  letter  from  the  Baltimore  society  makes  so  clear  the  fact  that 


34 


A    DOCUM"ENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


that  of  the  president  of  the  New  York  Typographical  Society,  which 
society  sent  a  further  communication,  received  October  7,  notifying  the 
Columbian  society  of  a  strike  in  New  York  to  enforce  the  scale  of 
prices,  and  asking  that  no  Washington  printers  be  permitted  to  take 
situations  in  New  York  until  the  trouble  was  over.  At  this  meeting  of 
October  7  a  "committee  was  appointed  to  draft  a  list  of  prices  similar 
to  that  of  Baltimore."  This  committee  reported  and  the  list  was  ap- 
proved November  4,  181 5.  It  is  reproduced  herein  (Appendix  B,  No.  2) 
and  is  to  be.  understood  as  representing  the  wage  conditions   in  both  the 


that  organization  was  likewise  as  thoroughly  economic  in  its  purpose  as 
were  the  others  that  it  is  reproduced  here,  since  no  otlier  documents  of 
this  early  Baltimore  society  have  been  discovered. 

Baltimore,  December  8,   1815, 
To  the  President  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society  : 

Sir — I  hasten  to  comply  with  a  requisition  of  the  Baltimore  Typo- 
graphical Association,  imposed  on  me  by  a  vote  of  that  body  at  their 
last  meeting,  viz.,  a  reply  to  a  communication  received  from  a  committee 
of  the  society  over  which  you  have  the  honor  to  preside — under  the 
name  and  title  first  mentioned.  Previous,  however,  to  entering  into  the 
performance  of  this  task  it  becomes  a  duty  incumbent  on  me  as  a  friend 
to  a  mutual  interchange  of  sentiments  between  associations  of  this  na- 
ture, as  well  as  individuals,  to  explain,  so  far  as  is  within  my  power, 
the  causes  which  have  produced  this  almost  unpardonable  delay — a  delay 
so  derogatory  to  the  feelings  and  so  contrary  to  the  wishes  of  every 
member  of  our  body. 

Your  communication  bears  date  of  June  30,  1815.  It  was,  I  believe, 
received  in  due  season,  and  promptly  laid  before  the  next  meeting  after 
its  receipt,  which  meeting  einpovvered  and  required  the  then  secretary  to 
forward  a  reply,  expressive  of  the  thanks  of  the  association  for  the  at- 
tention you  have  shown  them,  the  pleasure  they  always  experience  in 
the  establishment  of  any  regulations  which  have  the  least  tendency  to 
promote  the  interest  and  happiness  of  our  brethren  in  every  section  of 
the  Union,  their  congratulations  that  you  have  so  completely  succeeded 
in  rebuffing  the  many  obstacles  naturally  incident  in  the  formation  of 
such  associations,  and  their  readiness  at  all  times  to  co-operate  with  you 
in  all  and  every  measure  which  may  have  for  its  object  the  mutual  in- 
terest of  both  associations  and  the  profession  generally.  The  above  or- 
der, from  causes  not  yet  explained,  has  not  been  complied  with,  nor  was 
known  until  the  last  meeting. 

Hoping  that  the  above-recited  fact  will  be  sufficient  to  remove  any 
unpleasant  sensations  from  your  minds  which  may  have  been  excited  in 
consequence  thereof,  I  embrace  the  present  occasion  of  complimenting 
you  on  the  fundamental  principles  of  your  association — "benevolence" 
and  the  "establishment  of  a  regular  system  of  prices."  The  first  is  one 
of  the  noblest  virtues  of  the  human  heart  and  the  last  very  essential  to 
the  promotion  of  the  interest  and  happiness  of  every  association  of  a 
mechanical  nature. 

To  conclude,  sir,  you  may  be  assured  that  we  will  always  feel  proud 
to  receive  any  communication  from  the  Columbia  society  which  may,  in 
the  least,  have  a  tendency  to  favor  the  views  or  carry  into  effect  the 
objects  of  each  association,  and  will  ever  be  ready  at  any  moment  to  act 
with  alacrity  in  conjunction  with  it  on  any  measure  that  might  lead  to 
our  mutual  benefit. 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain,  with  the  sentiments  of  respect  (on  be- 
half of  the  Baltimore  association),  your  very  obt.  humble  servant. 

John  Revell, 
President  of  said  Association. 

Mr.  Alexander  Graham, 

President  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


35 


cities    (Washington   and   Baltimore)   at   that  time.     The   society   ordered 
ISO  copies  of  this  price  list  printed. 

The  Boston  Typographical  Society  of  1809  had  apparently  ceased 
to  exist,  as  another  of  the  same  name  was  organized  November  25, 
1815,  and  on  March  2,  1816,  on  the  eve  of  a  demand  for  an  increase 
of  wages,  sent  the  following  letter  to  the  various  societies: 

"Boston,  March  2,   i8i6. 
"Sir:      A   society   bearing   the   name   of  the   'Boston   Typographical 
Society'  was  formed  in  this  town  on  the  25th  of  November  last  past,  of 
which   Mr.   P.   F.  Quearean  is  president;   Henry  Nichols,  vice-president, 
and  William   Learned,  secretary. 

"On  Monday  next,  4th  of  March,  the  journeymen  of  this  town  and 
vicinity  calculate  to  receive  the  prices  which  they  have  adopted.  The 
employers  have  already  been  informed  of  our  determination  and  we 
doubt  not  they  will  be  obstinate  at  first,  but  must  eventually  agree  to 
give  us  the  prices  we  ask,  provided  we  are  united  and  the  journeymen 
of  your  city  do  not  think  proper  to  come  to  this  town  for  work  at  the 
call  of  the  masters,  as  they  will  doubtless  many  of  them  advertise  for 
workmen  in  a  short  time. 

"We,  therefore,  earnestly  request  that  you  will  give  notice  to  the 
members  of  your  society  of  our  proceedings,  and  as  it  is  all  important 
that  we  should  be  left  to  manage  our  own  affairs  in  our  own  way,  you 
will  please  give  us  every  necessary  aid  in  the  present  contest  which 
'try  men's  souls.' 

"We  are,  sir,  with  respect,  yours,  etc., 

"Eliakim  Fish, 
"Geo.    Singleton, 
"Wm.   Kerry,  Jr., 
"Cominittcc. 

"P.  S. — Should  you  observe  in  the  newspapers  an  advertisement 
for  journeymen  wanted  in  this  place,  we  request  you  to  advertise  in 
our  behalf  that  there  are  between  50  and  60  journeymen  out  of  employ 
in  Boston." 

October  4,  i8t6,  the  aggressive  Albany  society,  which,  as  stated 
above,  had  been  organized  in  1815,  sent  the  following  letter  to  all 
societies: 

"Albany,  October  4,  18 16. 
"To    the    President    of    the    Washington    City    Typographical    Society, 

Washington: 

"Sir — All  bodies  formed  for  the  purpose  of  maintaining  the  rights 
of  those  concerned  thercm,  while  at  the  same  time  they  afford  relief  in 
cases  of  distress  to  which  any  of  their  members  may  be  exposed,  ought 
to  possess  the  means  of  holding  up  to  the  contempt  of  those  societies 
who  have  the  same  just  and  benevolent  ends  in  view,  such  persons  as 
either  from  self-interest  or  perverseness  endeavor  to  defeat  the  object 
of  such  associations. 


36 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


"Influenced  by  these  sentiments,  the  Albany  Typographical  Soci- 
ety authorized  the  undersigned  to  communicate  to  the  different  societies 
in  the  United  States  their  willingness  to  co-operate  with  them  in  the 
furtherance  of  all  lawful  measures  conducive  with  the  interests  of  the 
business,  and  at  the  same  time  to  forward  the  names  of  several  un- 
principled persons  to  you,  and  through  you  to  the  Washington  City 
Typographical  Society,  who,  for  months  past,  have  been  and  are  still 
working  in  the  office  of  Messrs.  in  this  city  below  the  prices  es- 
tablished by  the  society. 

"Their  names  are  — — ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  . 

"What  renders  their  conduct  the  more  censurable  is  the  fact  of 
their  being  several  times  warned  of  the  consequences  which  would  result 
from  their  proceedings,  but  persisting  notwithstanding. 

"By  order  of  the  society, 

"John   B.   N.   Steinbergh,  President. 
"John    Henshall,   Secretary." 

While  this  was  recognized  as  a  radical  step  to  take  at  that  time, 
there  was  no  refusal  to  comply  with  the  request  of  the  Albany  society. 
It  was,  in  fact,  no  more  than  the  Philadelphia  society  had  reluctantly 
conceded  to  the  New  York  society  in  1809.  The  Albany  society  seems 
to  have  refused  to  permit  its  members  to  work  in  offices  with  men  re- 
ceiving less  than  the  scale  almost  from  the  first.  This  society  seems 
to  have  been  the  first  to  give  currency  to  the  term  "rat"  as  applied  to 
a  printer  who  works  for  less  than  the  established  wages,  and  struck 
against  the  employment  of  a  man  designated  as  a  "rat"  in  1821.  To 
the  credit  of  this  stormy  little  society  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  let  it  be  said 
that  in  a  subsequent  letter  it  took  up  the  case  of  at  least  one  of  these 
men  and  rescinded  its  action.  The  letter  gives  an  inside  view  of  the 
industrial  conditions  of  the  time  which  renders  it  pre-eminently  worth 
preserving. 

"We  have  become  more  fully  acquainted  with  the  causes  which 
compelled  Stephen  Dorion  to  accept  of  the  illegitimate  prices.  It  ap- 
pears he  was  among  the  first  of  those  who  refused  to  comply  with  the 
views  of  the  employers  and  consequently  lost  his  situation.  He  went 
to  New  York  in  pursuit  of  work,  but  could  not  procure  any.  He  re- 
turned again  to  this  city  and  after  sacrificing  all  his  property,  amount- 
ing to  about  $100,  besides  contracting  a  heavy  debt  for  the  support  of 
his  family,  with  starvation  staring  him  in  the  face,  without  the  least 
hope  or  possibility  of  procuring  any  assistance  from  our  society,  and, 
from  the  conviction  that  'rats'  in  abundance  could  be  procured  to 
carry  on  the  work  of  destruction,  he  chose  rather  to  work  at  reduced 
wages  than  to  become  an  inhabitant  of  a  gaol  or  a  poorhouse.  There- 
fore we  hope  he  may  be  exonerated  from  the  odious  appellation  of 
'rat'  " 

Twenty  years  later  (1838),  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  protested  against  a  too 
strenuous  hounding  of  "rats,"  and  it  was  one  of  the  first  acts  of  the 


EARLY    OROAXIZATIOXS    OF    PRIXTKRS 


Z7 


national  organization  of  185^  to  call  a  halt  on  the  abuse  of  this  custom 
by   local  societies. 

From  181 6  to  1827,  so  far  as  can  be  determined  from  the  minutes 
of  tlie  Washington  society,  communications  between  the  various  socie- 
ties practically  ceased,  but  each  was  active  in  its  own  field.  The 
problem  of  a  uniform  wage  scale  throughout  the  country,  begun  by  the 
complaint  of  the  employers  of  New  York  City  in  the  strike  of  181 5, 
now  became  a  serious  question  to  the  societies  from  another  point  of 
view.  The  price  lists  were  printed  separately  from  the  constitutions, 
and  the  earlier  constitutions  in  most  societies  made  no  direct  reference 
to  wage  scales.  Some  members  claimed  that  working  for  less  than  the 
wage  scale  was  not  a  violation  of  the  constitution.  Roving  printers 
also  claimed  that  if  they  did  not  work  below  the  scale  of  the  society 
they  had  originally  joined  they  were  not  violating  any  obligation.  The 
Washington  society's  scale  was  higher  than  that  of  any  northern  city, 
and,  as  the  Government  printing  made  the  capital  a  sort  of  Mecca  for 
"tramp"  printers,  this  society  became  the  first  serious  victim  of  this  sub- 
terfuge. 

To  settle  the  claim  made  by  home  members,  who  insisted  that  the 
scale  was  not  a  part  of  the  organic  law,  the  society,  February  i,  181 7, 
ordered  250  copies  of  the  constitution  printed  "with  the  list  of  prices 
annexed  thereto."  This  plan  was  adopted  by  Boston  in  1825,  and  grad- 
ually by  all  societies,  and  the  reason  for  it  is  as  stated  above.  It  is  kept 
up  to  this  day  by  local  printers'  unions.  This,  however,  only  partially 
settled  the  trouble   with   itinerant  compositors,  (a) 


a  The  division  of  sentiment  on  the  uniform  w-age  scale  was  apparent 
in  the  call  for  the  national  convention  of  1836,  in  which  the  Washington 
society  sought  to  estop  the  convention  from  dealing  with  uniform  rates 
by  the  very  terms  of  the  call,  while  Cincinnati  had  made  the  original  re- 
quest for  a  national  convention  in  the  hope  of  securing  uniform  rates 
of  wages.  In  the  convention  of  1854  a  resolution  was  introduced  that 
all  members  should  consider  the  bill  of  prices  a  part  of  the  by-laws,  and 
the  convention  of  1855  formulated  a  pledge,  to  be  taken  by  all  members, 
which  covered  the  question  in  the  following  manner: 

I,    ■ ,    hereby    solemnly   and    sincerely   swear     *     »     » 

that  I  will,  without  equivocation  or  evasion,  and  to  the  best  of  my 
ability,  so  long  as  I  live,  abide  by  the  constitution  and  by-laws,  and  the 
particular  scale  of  prices  of  work  acknowledged  and  adopted  by  this  or 
other  typographical  unions  of  the  United  States,  of  which  I  now  am  or 
may  become  a  member,  and  that  I  will  at  all  times,  by  every  honorable 
means  in  my  power,  procure  employment  for  members  of  our  union  in 
preference  to  all  others.     So  help  me  God. 

Gradually  the  eastern  and  southern  societies  had  educated  the  itin- 
erant printers  and  gotten  rid  of  the  uniformity  question  when  it  came 
up  again  from^  the  river  cities  upon  which  it  had  been  forced  by  the 
steamboat  printing  office.  Even  in  the  Chicago  convention  of  1858  the 
demand  for  "a  uniform  price  list  for  all  unions  in  the  United  States" 
came  up.  The  "demand"  came  from  the  river  cities  as  usual.  It  was 
finally  disposed  of  at  this  convention  of  1858  by  the  adoption  of  the  fol- 
lowing resolution: 

Resolved,  That  it  is   hereby   recommended  by   the    National   Typo* 


38  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

April  4,  1818,  the  society  adopted  an  entirely  new  constitution,  both 
in  preamble  and  nearly  every  section.  It  broke  away,  practically,  from' 
the  ultra  conservatism  of  the  Philadelphia  model,  and  placed  the 
Washington  society  more  in  line  with  that  of  New  York  City  prior  to 
its  acceptance  of  a  legislative  charter.  A  copy  of  this  constitution, 
taken  from  the  minutes,  is  reproduced  (Appendix  A,  No.  3)  as  the 
best  documentary  evidence  of  the  development  of  this  society,  and  as 
an  excellent  siiecimen  of  the  constitutions  of  all  the  more  aggressive 
societies  of  that  date. 

The  special  agitation  of  the  apprentice  question  began  in  Washing- 
ton in  1 818,  and  while  the  constitution  of  that  year  does  not  go  beyond 
requiring  "a  satisfactory  apprenticeship,"  nevertheless  from  the  min- 
utes it  is  learned  that  candidates  for  membership  were  not  only  vigor- 
ously questioned  on  this  point,  but  were  required  to  prove  by  written 
statements  from'  "their  masters"  that  they  had  served  "a  four-years' 
apprenticeship."  Even  after  admission  members  were  held  liable  to 
expulsion  if  it  was  discovered  that  there  "had  been  irregularities  in  his 
apprenticeship."  A  case  of  this  character  came  up  July  i5,  1818,  when 
it  was  charged  that  one  Fleming  had  no  right  to  membership.  Fleming 
proved  that  he  had  served  two  and  a  half  years'  apprenticeship  in 
Dublin,  Ireland,  and  afterwards  a  short-term  apprenticeship  in  Phila- 
delphia, but  this  was  claimed  irregular,  as  the  entire  term  must  be 
under  one  master  to  protect  the  trade  against  "runaways."  The  vote 
on  his  expulsion  being  a  tie,  he  was  saved  only  by  the  casting  vote  of 
the  president.  The  constitution  of  1818  provided  for  certificates  of 
membersship,  especially  traveling  certificates,  and  remitted  the  dues 
of  members  while  traveling  outside  the  District  of  Columbia,  provided 
they  joined  any  other  society  while  so  traveling  and  brought  back  with 
them  a  clear  record  from  the  society  so  joined.  February  16,  1819,  the 
society  ordered  250  certificates  of  membership  and  made  it  obligatory 
for  members  to  carry  them  when  at  work,  whether  in  the  District  or  out. 
The  constitution  was  again  revised  in  1821,  when  the  faction  opposed 
to  any  trade  interference  had  again  secured  a  majority  in  the  society. 
This  revision  is  not  here  reproduced,  as  there  are  no  important 
changes,  except  that  four  years'  apprenticeship  is  made  an  "indispensa- 
ble qualification  for  all  persons  hereafter  admitted."  All  reierence  to 
other  societies  was  stricken  out,  and  a  member  absent  from  the  District 
must  pay  dues  upon  his  return  precisely  as  though  he  had  not  been 
absent. 

The    first    clause    of    article    17,    section    i,    states    that    "a    majority 


graphical  Union  that  the  subordinate  unions  of  Louisville,  St.  Louis, 
Memphis  and  New  Orleans  confer  with  each  other  for  the  purpose  of 
establishing  a  uniform  scale  of  prices  for  work  done  by  printers  on 
steamboats  running  on  the  Ohio,  Missouri  and  Mississippi  rivers,  and 
that  the  united  action  of  the  New  Orleans,  Memphis,  St.  Louis  and 
Louisville  unions  shall  be  regarded  by  the  National  Typographical 
Union  as  having  full  power  and  authority  to  regulate  all  matters  per- 
taining, thereto,  provided  that  the  representatives  of  the  unions  named 
may  admit  to  their  councils  representatives  from  other  places  interested. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


39 


of  the  society  shall  determine  on  all  charges  alleged  against  any  mem- 
ber, whether  they  are  of  a  nature  cognizable  by  the  rules  of  the  soci- 
ety." As  the  event  proved,  it  was  under  this  provision  that  all  inter- 
ference in  trade  matters  was  to  be  ruled  out  of  order  by  the  "ali- 
moners,"  who,  at  that  moment,  held  a  majority  against  the  "industrial- 
ists." The  society  was  not  ready,  however,  to  take  a  step  which  might 
compel  the  surrender  of  its  right  to  interfere  in  wage  matters.  At  a 
meeting  held  December  i,  1821,  a  resolution  was  introduced  looking  to 
the  incorporation  of  the  society  by  Congress.  The  trade-regulating  cle- 
ment among  members  feared  that  this  would  result,  as  it  had  in  New 
York  City,  in  taking  away  all  power  to  interfere  in  prices  of  labor. 
It  being  pretty  generally  conceded  that  this  might  result,  the  debate 
was  along  that  line.  The  vote  was  a  tie,  the  president  casting  his  vote 
against  the  project  of  incorporation.  It  was  not  until  October  4,  1823, 
that  a  trade  question  was  forced  before  the  society,  at  which  time  the 
question  as  to  whether  or  not  setting  minion  for  30  cents  a  1,000  ems 
on  a  newspaper  was  a  violation  of  the  price  list  was  decided  in  the 
negative.  April  3,  1824,  charges  were  lodged  against  three  men — one 
a  foreman,  one  a  proprietor  for  whom  the  others  worked,  and  the  third 
a  journeyman — all  members  of  the  society,  charging  the  two  former 
with  paying  the  latter  less  than  the  scale,  and  the  latter  with  working 
under  the  scale.  The  contention  was  that  it  was  none  of  the  society's 
business,  if  all  parties  to  the  arrangement  agreed  to  it  willingly  as  in- 
dividuals. 

The  test  of  strength  between  the  two  factions  came  on  the  ques- 
tion as  to  whether  this  was  a  charge  "of  a  nature  cognizable  by  the 
rules  of  the  society,"  under  article  17  of  the  constitution,  as  quoted 
above,  and  a  majority  voted  that  it  was.  The  membership  of  the  so- 
ciety had  been  waning  for  some  time — but  six  new  members  joined  in 
1821,  five  in  1822.  Some  improvement  began  to  be  noted,  however, 
and  in  1824,  for  the  first  time,  the  society  joined  in  a  civic  parade  on 
the  Fourth  of  July  as  a  society,  wearing  silver  "printers'  rules"  as 
badges.  From  the  minutes  it  appears  the  society  was  out  in  full  force, 
forming  "in  front  of  the  President's  house."  In  the  parade  they  had 
a  press  on  a  wagon  "printing  and  distribviting  from  it  copies  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence." 

At  the  June  meeting  in  1827  the  spirit  of  the  progressive  element 
began  to  stir  anew,  and  a  communication  was  ordered  to  be  sent  to 
the  New  York  City  and  Philadelphia  societies.  For  ten  years  there 
had  been  no  correspondence  between  these  organizations.  The  letter 
of  the   Washington   society  (a)    brought  replies   from   both   the   societies 

a  Copy  of  a  communication  to  the  presidents  of  the  New  York  and 
Philadelphia  typographical  societies: 

Washington  City,  July  9,  1827. 
President  of  the  New  York  Typographical  Society: 

Sir — At  a  stated  meeting  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society  of 
Washington,  held  on  the  7th  instant,  the  president  was  "requested  to 
forward    a    copy    of    our    constitution    and    by-laws    to    the    society    over 


40 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


addressed.  They  were  faint-hearted  letters,  however,  indicating  that 
those  societies,  as  such,  were  not  more  progressive  than  this  one  at  that 
time.  The  letters  are  not  of  sufficient  historical  interest  to  reproduce 
them  here.  Of  considerable  more  importance  is  a  resolution  intro- 
duced by  Mr.  VV.  H.  Blaney,  January  s,  1828.  Mr.  Blaney  was  a 
member  of  both  the  Philadelphia  and  Washington  societies.  During 
1827  he  had  been  visiting  in  New  York  City  and  Philadelphia.  His 
acquaintance  with  the  views  of  the  printers  of  these  cities  was  wide, 
and  the  plan  he  proposed  was  without  reasonable  doubt  approved  by  a 
strong  minority  in  all  three  of  the  societies,  though  it  must  be  remem- 
bered that  the  New  York  City  society  was  prevented  by  its  leg'slative 
charter  of  1818  from  embarking  in  such  a  project,  nor  is  it  entirely 
certain  that  the  Philadelphia  society  had  not,  as  a  society,  lost  its  con- 
trol over  price  regulation,  Mr.  Blaney's  plan  was  embodied  in  the 
following: 

"Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  from  this  society  to 
devise  means  to  form  a  connection  with  the  Philadelphia  and  New 
York  typographical  societies  for  the  support  of  prices  in  each  city,  and 
report  the  same  at  the  next  stated  meeting." 

The  resolution  was  tabled,  as  the  time  was  not  yet  come  for  this. 
Here,  however,  we  have  the  first  hint  (unless  it  be  true  that  the  New 
York  society  did  make  the  same  proposition  to  Boston  in  1816)  of  a 
grouping   of   printers'   organizations,   such    as   was   accomplished   in    1836. 

From  1828  on,  the  scrutiny  of  applicants  for  membership,  on  the 
point  of  their  having  served  a  full  term  of  apprenticeship,  became  more 
and  more  searching  and  jealous. 


which  you  preside,  and  to  request  a  reciprocation  of  favors  on  the   part 
of  your  society." 

In  compliance  with  this  request,  I  take  pleasure  in  forwarding  our 
constitution  and  requesting  that  you  will  forward  us  a  copy  of  yours  in 
return.  The  object  of  transmitting  this  instrument  is,  to  open  a  corre- 
spondence with  our  brethren  of  New  York,  in  the  hope  that,  if  kept  up 
between  the  societies,  it  may  be  of  mutual  benefit.  Any  facts  or  infor- 
mation that  may  have  that  tendency  will  be  thankfully  received  on  our 
part,  and  we  shall  not  fail  to  notify  you  of  all  matters  which  may  be  of 
moment,  or  likely  to  prove  interesting  to  you. 

Within  the  covers  of  the  constitution  you  will  find  our  list  of 
prices,  and  the  names  of  all  the  members  of  our  society,  up  to  the  time 
it  was  printed.  This  latter  information  will  prove  interesting  to  some 
of  our  brethren  of  your  city,  if  there  shall  be  tound  among  these  signers 
of  our  constitution  the  names  of  any  of  their  friends.  It  naturally  gives 
us  pleasure  to  procure  information  of  the  companions  of  our  earlier 
years,  and  to  learn,  after  a  long  separation,  whether  they  are  yet  alive 
or  whether  they  have  passed  that  bourn  from  which  no  traveler  returns. 

This  communication,  and  the  constitution,  will  be  handed  you  by 
our  secretary,  Mr.  Francis  G.  Fish,  who  is  on  a  visit  to  some  of  the 
principal  Atlantic  cities,  and  to  his  friends  at  the  eastward.  He  is  rec- 
ommended to  your  favorable  regard,  and  will  be  the  bearer  of  any  favor 
you  may  wish  to  send  us  in  return. 

Very  respectfully,  sir,  I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  obedient  servant, 

Wm.  Kerr,  Jr., 
President  Columbia  Typographical  Society. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


41 


The  trouble  with  the  printer  to  the  United  States  Senate,  Gen, 
Duff  Green,  which  cemented  the  scattered  societies  and  made  new  ones, 
and  of  which  much  will  be  said  later,  began  early  in  1829.  At  a  meet- 
ing held  July  4,  1829,  the  president  of  the  society  reported  that  he  had 
held  several  fruitless  conferences  with  and  had  six  letters  from  "Mr. 
Duff  Green  on  the  subject  of  a  reduction  of  the  established  prices." 

At  the  meeting  of  February  7,  1829,  a  resolution  to  have  the  society 
incorporated  by  Congress  was  voted  down  by  a  decisive  majority. 
This  idea  of  incorporation  was  always  associated  more  or  less  with 
that  of  surrendering  control  over  wages,  and  the  time  for  that  had 
passed.  A  new  impetus  was  coming  to  organization — new  plans  form- 
ing, a  new  opponent  arising,  who  in  an  attempt  to  crush  was  destined 
to  solidify  the  trade  organizations. 

THE  PERIOD   FROM    1830  TO   1852. 

The  fatal  mistake  of  the  early  societies  was  the  "free  membership" 
section  in  their  constitutions.  A  member  who  paid  his  dues  for  a  cer- 
tain period — ten  years  in  Washington,  ten  years  in  Baltimore,  and 
twenty  in  Philadelphia,  or  who  paid  a  lump  sum  equivalent  to  the 
accumulated  dues  of  such  periods,  became  a  free  member,  entitled  to 
all  the  benefits  of  the  societies  without  further  payment.  When  this 
maturing  period  arrived  the  society  found  itself  with  a  list  of  non- 
paying  members  which  acted  as  a  discouragement  to  new  members, 
because  on  the  latter  must  fall  the  entire  expense  of  the  organization 
while  the  "free  members"  got  most  of  the  benefits. 

The  societies  generally  ceased  to  exist  about  the  time  the  first  list 
of  free  members  appears.  Baltimore,  organized  in  1814  or  1815,  ceased 
to  exist  in  1825  or  1826;  Philadelphia,  organized  in  1802  (with  a  twenty- 
year  paying  period  adopted  in  1810),  disbanded  to  reorganize  on  another 
basis  in  1831,  and  so  on.  The  reason  the  Washington  society  did  not 
go  down  under  the  baneful  influence  of  this  provision  was  that  the 
printing  business  in  Washington  was  so  unevenly  distributed.  When 
Congress  was  in  session  the  city  was  filled  with  itinerant  printers  who 
paid  their  dues  while  they  stayed,  but  few  of  them  settled  down  so  as 
to  ever  become  "free  members."  This  influx  and  exodus  of  printers, 
resulting  from  sessional  work,  made  possible  the  preservation  of  the 
Columbia  Typographical  Society,  notwithstanding  this  defect  in  its 
early  constitution;  and  this  society,  by  the  preservation  of  its  minutes, 
has  made  possible  a  fairly  comprehensive  study  of  the  character  of 
these  early  societies,  as  well  as  furnishing  a  fair  index,  through  its 
correspondence,  of  the  progress  of  organization  elsewhere. 

The  older  organizations,  almost  without  exception,  called  them- 
selves societies.  The  new  organizations  were  adopting  the  term  "asso- 
ciation." In  1830  the  New  Orleans  Typographical  Association  was 
organized,  as  appears  from  a  notice  of  organization  sent  by  it  to  the 
Philadelphia  society.  In  1832  this  New  Orleans  association  issued  a 
price  list  radically  increasing  the  scale  of  wages;  no  copy  of  this  list 
has   been    found.      This   organization   seems  to   have   collapsed   within   a 


42 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


year  or  two,  and  was  reorganized,  or  another  of  the  same  name  organ- 
ized,  May  9,   1835. 

The  printers  of  New  York  City  were  becoming  dissatisfied,  and  a 
strong  element  began  to  feel  that  the  typographical  society,  hampered 
as  it  was  with  legislative  restrictions,  was  not  sufficient  for  their  needs. 
On  November  19,  1830,  a  mass  meeting  of  printers  employed  on  the 
daily  papers  of  the  city  was  called,   and  the  following  resolution  passed: 

"Resolved,  That  it  was  never  the  intention  of  the  printers  employed 
on  the  morning  and  evening  papers  to  make  a  schism  between  them- 
selves and  the  New  York  Typographical  Society  (some  of  whom  are 
members  of  that  society).  So  they  disclaim  and  refute  the  many  in- 
sinuations prepared  to  convey  that  idea." 

It  is  not  at  all  clear  that  the  old  society  attempted,  as  an  organiza- 
tion, to  check  the  move  to  organize  the  printers  along  trade  lines; 
and  it  is  certain  that  many  members  of  the  old  society  became  mem- 
bers of  the  new  when  it  was  formed. 

The  formation  of  a  new  association  along  strictly  trade  lines  oc- 
curred June  17,  1831.  A  price  list  was  issued,  for  the  enforcement  of 
which  the  association  seems  to  have  become  immediately  involved  in 
a  strike.  A  copy  of  this  list,  with  a  few  changes  made  in  1833,  more 
to  clear  up  ambiguities  than  to  change  the  scale,  will  be  found  in 
Appendix  B,  No.  4,  of  this  report.  The  constitution,  as  revised  in 
1833,  will  also  be  found  in  outline  in  Appendix  A,  No.  5.  The  organ- 
ization continued  in  existence  until  about  1840.  It  should  be  under- 
stood that  its  organization  was  mainly  due  to  the  compositors  on  daily 
papers.     There  were  220  members  in    1833. 

The  constitution  of  1833  was  prefaced  with  a  most  remarkable  doc- 
ument, called  "Introductory  remarks."  Probably  no  similar  statement 
covering  the  period  will  be  found  written  by  workmen  themselves. 
They  give  their  point  of  view  in  language  which,  to  put  it  mildly,  must 
be  considered  vigorous.  Some  of  the  conditions  complained  of  were 
local  to  New  York  City,  but  many  of  their  grievances  were  general  in 
the  trade,  and  especially  that  of  what  would  now  be  called  child  labor, 
out  of  which  grew  the  apprenticeship  restrictions  later  on. 

Notwithstanding  its  length,  the  undoubted  historical  value  of  this 
document  warrants  its  complete  transcription  here.  It  should  be  ex- 
plained, perhaps,  that  in  this,  as  in  all  the  early  documents,  the  term 
"printer"  is  often,  though  not  exclusively,  used  to  denote  the  employer, 
or  proprietor,  of  the  printing  establishment,  instead  of  the  journeyman 
or  compositor. 

"introductory  remarks. 

"The  Typographical  Association  of  New  York  was  instituted  on 
the  17th  day  of  June,  1831.  It  may  not  be  deemed  improper  to  state 
some  of  the  causes  which  led  to  its  formation;  and,  in  doing  thjs,  it 
will  be  necessary  to  revert  to  the  condition  of  the  printing  business  for 
some  years  past. 


EARLY    OROAXIZATIOXS    OF    PRIXTKRS 


43 


"In  the  year  1809  the  New  York  Typographical  Society  was  formed, 
for  the  purpose  of  sustaining  a  uniform  scale  of  prices,  and  of  afford- 
ing pecuniary  relief  to  the  sick  and  distressed  of  its  own  members, 
their  widows  and  orphans.  This  institution  has  continued  to  the 
present  time;  but  the  principal  object  of  its  first  formation  has  long 
since  ceased  to  claim  any  part  of  its  attention.  In  1812,  war  occur- 
ring between  this  country  and  Great  Britain,  the  business  suffered 
extremely,  and  continued  in  a  depressed  state  until  181 5  or  18 16,  wiien 
it  was  found  necessary  to  call  a  general  meeting  of  the  journeymen 
in  the  city,  to  take  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  revising  the  scale 
of  prices;  and  after  considerable  debate  between  employers  and  em- 
ployes, a  scale  was  agreed  upon,  which  was  adopted  by  the  New  York 
Typographical  Society.  The  demands  of  the  workmen  were  very  gen- 
erally acceded  to,  and  for  some  three  or  four  years  business  was  very 
brisk. 

"In  the  year  181 8  the  society  was  incorporated  by  an  act  of  the 
legislature,  and,  being  prohibited  by  the  terms  of  its  charter  from  inter- 
fering with  the  scale  of  prices,  it  became  merely  a  mutual  benefit  in- 
stitution. 

"In  the  meantime,  the  seeds  of  declension  in  the  trade  were  grad- 
ually sown,  and  the  fruit  began  to  appear  in  various  ways.  Some 
printers  from  a  distance,  having  heard  that  business  was  good,  and,  be- 
ing determined  to  obtain  it  at  all  hazards,  located  themselves  among 
us;  and  to  secure  a  sufficient  quantity  of  work  commenced  operations 
on  terms  that  could  not  be  afforded,  if  they  wished  to  obtain  a  fair 
remuneration  for  their  labor,  or  act  honestly  by  the  workman.  The 
consequence  was,  that  while  a  few  grew  rich  at  the  expense  of  the  jour- 
neymen, old-established  printers,  who  had  before  paid  honorable  prices, 
were  obliged  to  reduce  their  charges  for  work,  or  lose  much  of  their 
business;  and  as  their  receipts  were  diminished,  the  wages  of  the  jour- 
neymen were  by  degrees  reduced,  until,  instead  of  a  uniform  scale  of 
prices,  every  man  was  compelled  to  work   for  what  he  could  obtain. 

"Another  cause  of  depression  was  the  practice,  which  then  prevailed, 
and  has  continued  more  or  less  to  the  present  time,  of  employing  run- 
away or  dismissed  apprentices  for  a  small  compensation.  These  were 
called  two-thirds  men,  and  have  always  proved  a  great  pest  to  the  pro- 
fession. Added  to  this,  roller  boys,  having  gained  admission  to  the 
interior  of  a  printing  office,  have  in  a  short  time  found  their  way  from 
the  rear  to  the  front  of  the  press,  to  the  discharge  of  the  regular 
pressman. 

"The  trade,  also,  as  far  as  pressmen  are  concerned,  had  suffered 
extremely  by  the  applications  of  machinery  to  that  branch  of  the  busi- 
ness; and  while  a  few  individuals  were  growing  rich,  as  they  asserted, 
for  the  benefit  of  the  public  at  large,  many  who  had  spent  from  five  to 
seven  years  of  the  flower  of  their  lives  in  acquiring  a  knowledge  of 
their  profession,  were  left  without  employment,  or  were  obliged  to  re- 
sort to  some  business  with  which  they  were  unacquainted,  and  thus 
constrained  to  serve  a  sort  of  second  apprenticeship. 

"Matters  continued  in  this  condition  for  a  number  of  years.    Mean- 


44 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


time  the  business  of  stereotyping  had  increased  to  a  great  extent;  and 
the  numerous  improvements  in  the  art,  or  rather  the  motto  of  multum 
in  parvo  literally  reduced  to  practice,  rendered  it  every  year  more 
and  more  difficult  for  compositors  to  support  themselves  and  their  fam- 
ilies. To  the  disgrace  of  some  employers,  every  advantage  was  taken 
of  the  necessities  of  the  workmen,  and  impositions  were  continually 
practiced  upon  thtni. 

"Men,  however,  when  borne  down  by  oppression,  rise  in  their 
strength,  and  assert  their  rights.  The  journeymen  printers  of  the 
city  of  New  York,  from  a  sense  of  justice  to  themselves,  and  those 
employers  who  had  uniformly  paid  honorable  prices,  resolved  to  unite 
as  an  association  for  the  purpose  of  elevating  the  business  to  a  proper 
level.  Numbers  of  them  were  engaged  on  the  several  daily  newspapers 
of  this  city  at  prices  deemed  sufficient  when  there  was  little  labor  and 
scarcely  any  competition,  but  which  were  found  totally  inadequate 
when  all  vied  with  each  other  to  present  the  latest  news  to  their  read- 
ers. To  accomplish  this,  the  workmen  were  almost  entirely  deprived 
of  their  rest  for  nights  together. 

"Scarcely  any  employment  can  be  more  laborious  than  that  of  pub- 
lishing a  daily  morning  newspaper.  Many  of  the  offices  are  in  the 
most  crowded  parts  of  the  city;  and,  not  having  been  built  for  the 
purpose,  are  illy  calculated  to  afford  a  good  circulation  of  air,  or 
v.hat  is  next  in  importance,  good  light.  To  the  injurious  effects  of 
these  and  similar  causes,  many  of  the  most  worthy  of  the  profession 
have  fallen  victims;  and  others,  after  a  short  endurance,  have  found 
their  faculties  so  impaired,  and  their  constitutions  so  debilitated,  as 
to  be  rend  red  incapable  of  undertaking  any  other  permanent  employ- 
ment for  their  future  support.  It  requires  the  united  exercise  of  the 
mental  and  bodily  labor  of  the  persons  employed,  for  nearly  the  whole 
night,  and  a  considerable  portion  of  the  day;  being  seldom  able  to  allot 
more  than  seven  hours  to  rest  and  refreshment.  To  be  thus  confined 
for  such  a  length  of  time,  inhaling  the  stagnant  air  of  a  printing  office, 
is  sufficient  to  enervate  a  man  of  the  most  vigorous  constitution. 

"Under  all  these  circumstances,  a  general  meeting  of  the  trade  was 
called  about  the  ist  of  June,  1831,  at  which  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  draw  up  a  just  and  equitable  scale  of  prices.  The  committee  made 
their  report  to  an  adjourned  meeting,  which  adopted  it;  and  on  the  17th 
day  of  the  same  month  the  Typographical  Association  of  New  York 
was  established,  and  a  constitution  and  by-laws  framed  for  its  govern- 
ment. 

"A  circular  to  the  employing  printers  was  forthwith  issued,  cover- 
ing the  new  scale  of  prices,  and  respectfully  asking  them  to  accede  to 
it.  Most  of  them,  to  their  honor,  saw  the  justice  of  the  demand,  and 
promptly  awarded  the  w-ages  asked  for.  There  were  some,  however, 
both  among  the  book  offices  and  daily  newspapers,  who  altogether  re- 
fused, and  have  managed,  from  that  time  to  the  present,  by  a  constant 
change  of  workmen  (for  no  honorable  journeyman,  after  a  knowledge 
of  the  facts,  would  remain  a  moment  in  such  degraded  employment), 
to  evade   the   demands    for   a   fair   compensation.      It   is   a   source   of  con- 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


45 


solation,  after  all,  that  the  expenses  of  those  establishments  where  the 
prices  are  not  paid  are  greater  than  those  where  they  are,  owing  to  the 
incompetency  and  dishonesty  of  those  employed. 

■'Among  the  means  made  use  of  to  depress  the  business  by  those 
who  withhold  from  the  workmen  their  just  demands,  has  been  adver- 
tising in  several  of  the  newspapers  in  Scotland,  and  elsewhere  in 
Oreat  Britain,  that  a  great  opening  for  printers  existed  in  New  York, 
tliereby  inducing  many  to  leave  the  comforts  of  home  in  the  old  coun- 
try, to  seek  for  a  precarious  subsistence  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 
Many,  to  their  regret,  can  testify,  of  the  truth  of  this  assertion;  and 
the  feelings  of  the  man,  by  whose  unprincipled  conduct  this  breaking 
up  of  kindred  and  subsequent  disappointment  in  obtaining  the  means 
of  support  have  happened,  are  not  to  be  envied.  Perhaps  the  day  may 
come,  when  remorse,  like  a  subtle  poison,  may  lurk  about  his  heart, 
and  cause  him  to  do  an  act  of  justice  to  those  who  have  been  swindled 
by  his  deception. 

"\\'hen  the  association  was  informed  of  the  means  taken  by  un- 
principled men  to  injure  the  business,  a  circular  was  immediately  ad- 
dressed to  the  printers  of  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland,  and  dispatched  by  one  of  its  members.  The  association  has 
since  learned,  by  letters,  from  Europe,  that  the  appeal  has  had  an 
extensive  circulation,  and  has  tended  in  a  great  measure  to  counteract 
the  evil  contemplated  by  the  original  advertisements. 

"Since  its  formation,  the  association  has  steadily  advanced  in 
strength  and  respectability,  and  has  repeatedly  been  called  upon  to 
settle  disputes  arising  between  employers  and  journeymen;  and  it  is 
gratifying,  that,  in  all  instances  where  it  has  been  appealed  to,  its  de- 
cision has  been  respected  and  acted  on  by  the  parties  concerned. 

"These  repeated  appeals,  in  cases  of  difficulty,  have  induced  it 
again  carefully  to  revise  the  scale  of  prices,  explaining  those  points 
which  were  before  involved  in  doubt,  and  amplifying  others,  so  that  no 
other  construction  can  be  given  to  them  than  the  true  one.  As  the 
trade  has  for  a  long  time,  and  particularly  since  the  introduction  of 
stereotyping,  been  burdened  with  numerous  grievances  and  vexations, 
which  while  they  employed  much  of  the  journeyman's  time,  were  never 
paid  for,  these  things  have  in  the  revised  scale  been  taken  into  consid- 
eration, and  a  proper  compensation  awarded.  In  doing  this,  however, 
proper  attention  has  been  paid  to  the  interest  of  the  employer;  for  if 
any  of  the  vexations  spoken  of  arise  from  either  carelessness  or  the 
want  of  skill  of  the  workmen,  it  shall  be  at  his  expense.  It  is  intended 
that  the  revised  scale  of  prices  shall  be  for  the  benefit  of  both  honora- 
ble employers  and  journeymen  who  know  their  business;  but  shall  be 
of  no  service  to  those  unfledged  apologies  for  humanity  who  obtrude 
themselves  on  a  profession  of  which  they  know  nothing,  and  to  which 
they  can  be  little  else  than  a  burden  and  a  disgrace. 

"Many  of  the  latter  class  of  individuals  have  made  their  appear- 
ance in  this  city,  in  consequence  of  advertisements  inserted  in  papers 
whose  proprietors  do  not  pay  the  prices;  but  they  are  found,  on  trial, 
to   be   too   bad  even    for   such   infamous   uses.      Some  of  them   are   run- 


46  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

away  apprentices;  others  are  destitute  not  only  of  honorable  feeling 
but  of  all  knowledge  of  their  business,  and  generally  trace  their  defects 
to  the  want  of  proper  instruction  from  their  masters.  The  consequence 
to  the  good  workman  is,  that  he  is  frequently  made  to  suffer  from  er- 
rors committed  by  these  pretenders. 

"As  all  institutions,  in  their  infancy,  are  liable  to  imperfection,  the 
Typographical  Association  could  not  expect  to  be  exempt  from  the 
common  lot.  It  was  found  that  the  constitution  under  which  it  has 
Jiitherto  acted,  was  in  many  things  defective;  and  it  was  deemed  proper 
to  appoint  a  committee  to  revise  that  instrument.  This  has  been  done, 
and  the  association,  after  a  long  and  arduous  discussion  adopted  the 
constitution,  by-laws  and  rules  of  order  published  in  the  following 
pages. 

"It  now  only  remains  for  the  members  to  be  just  to  themselves 
and  the  printing  business  will  take  its  proper  stand  in  the  community. 
To  do  this  it  is  necessary  that  all  journeymen  coming  within  the  juris- 
diction of  the  association  should  become  members,  and  strictly  abide  by 
the  principles  of  the  constitution." 

December  6,  1834,  the  Columbia  Society  at  Washington  received  a 
letter  from  the  New  York  Typographical  Association  containing  a  list 
of  the  "rat  offices,"  and  another  of  the  individual  "rats"  in  the  city. 
The  strike  had  not  been  entirely  successful,  but  the  association  recov- 
ered and  seems  to  have  been  strong  enough  in  1835  to  prevent  the  em- 
ployment of  non-union  printers  in  New  York.  The  evidence  of  this, 
such  as  it  is,  is  to  be  found  in  the  minutes  of  the  Washington  society, 
which  show  that  September  26,  1835,  a  former  member  of  the  society, 
expelled  for  his  connection  with  the  strike  of  March,  1835  (the  Duff 
Green  strike),  plaintively  asks  to  be  reinstated,  his  principal  reason 
being  that  he  wants  to  go  to  New  York. 

"I  have,"  he  says  in  his  application,  "for  a  long  time  past  wished 
to  go  to  New  York,  but  I  can  not  procure  employment  there  without  I 
take  with  me  a  certificate  from  this  society,  which,  of  course,  I  can 
not  procure  unless  the  society  will  reinstate  me  in  my  membership, 
which   I  now  most  respectfully  and  earnestly  request  them  to  do." 

Some  doubt  about  the  association's  power  to  prevent  employment 
of  non-union  men  in  the  city  at  least  two  years  later  is,  however,  sug- 
gested by  the  impassioned  address  of  June  29,   1837,   which   it  issued: 

"To  the  journeymen  printers  of  Nctv  York  City  and  vicinity: 

"Fellow  Craftsmen — At  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Typograph- 
ical Association  of  New  York  City,  held  at  the  association  rooms  on 
Saturday  evening,  June  24,  1837,  information  having  been  given  of  a 
regularly  organized  'combination'  on  the  part  of  certain  of  our  em- 
ployers to  take  advantage  of  the  present  depressed  state  of  our  trade, 
and  business  in  general,  in  order  to  reduce  our  present  prices,  and  to 
render  us,  if  possible,  obedient  vassals  to  the  nod  of  the  oppressor,  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  address  you  in  this  particular,  and  urge  you 
to  a  prompt  and  resolute  resistance. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


47 


"That  committee  is  of  opinion,  tliat  the  time  has  now  arrived  when 
you  are  to  prove  to  the  world  one  of  two  things — either  tliat  you  are 
freemen  and  capable  of  understanding  and  maintaining  your  rights; 
or  that  you  are  base  and  servile  sycophants,  ready  and  willing  to  re- 
ceive whatever  compensation  and  terms  your  employers  may  choose  to 
allow. 

"You  are  now  to  show  whether,  in  your  judgment,  your  employers 
or  yourselves  possess  the  right  of  fixing  a  value  on  your  labor.  If 
there  yet  remains  one  spark  of  the  courage,  manhood  and  determina- 
tion which  sustained  you  when  forming  the  present  scale  of  prices,  let 
the  employing  printers  of  New  York  and  the  United  States,  see  that 
it  still  exists,  and  can  be  easily  fanned  to  a  flame;  let  them  see  that 
the  insignificant  and  paltry  pittance  which  you  now  obtain  for  your 
support  shall  not  be  reduced  at  their  pleasure — that  for  them  to  grow 
richer  you  will  not  consent  to  become  poorer. 

"That  a  pressure  exists,  and  that  it  is  more  difficult  for  all  em- 
ployers to  procure  money  with  which  to  meet  expenses,  we  are  all 
aware,  but  why  should  your  wages  be  reduced  on  that  account? 

"The  prices  for  printing  advertisements  and  for  newspapers  have 
not  been  reduced. 

"The  prices  that  are  now  paid  to  printers  are  no  more  than  will 
barely  support  them,  and  the  common  necessaries  of  life  are  even 
higher  than  when  your  present  scale  was  formed.  Then  why  should 
you  submit  to  a  reduction?  Why  be  the  passive  minion  of  the  will  of 
tyrants? 

"The  committee  can  discover  no  reason  why  you  should,  and  it  is 
their  opinion  that  if  true  to  yourselves  you  will  not  be. 

"Depend  upon  it,  that  if,  in  obedience  to  the  mandate  of  grasping 
avarice — if  because  your  employers  say  you  must,  you  determine  to 
yield,  and  go  to  work  for  less  than  the  scale  demands,  you  will  not 
only  cover  yourselves  with  the  consequent  odium,  but  you  will  neces- 
sarily involve  yourselves  in  debt  from  week  to  week;  for  it  is  folly  to 
suppose  that  if  your  wages  are  once  reduced  your  employers  will  of 
their  own  accord  advance  them  again,  even  though  business  should  re- 
sume its  accustomed  course.  No,  having  accomplished  their  purposes, 
and  brought  you  in  submission  to  their  feet,  they  will  keep  you  there, 
and  the  iron  hand  of  oppression  will  be  laid  more  heavily  than  ever. 

"Your  employer  knows  well,  that  without  constant  employment, 
your  wages  are  not  sufficient  for  your  support,  and  those  of  the  unholy 
alliance  which  is  now  raising  its  hydra  head  against  you,  are  no  doubt 
impressed  with  tha  belief,  that  by  seizing  upon  the  present  period  of 
depression  in  the  trade,  they  may  compel  you  to  work  for  whatever 
they  may  please  to  pay. 

"The  committee  would  not  be  understood  to  include  all  employers 
as  coming  under  their  just  reprehensions.  No,  thank  Heavens,  there 
are  honorable  exceptions,  there  are  employers  who  have  an  eye  to  the 
comfort  and  happiness  of  their  employes,  their  reward  no  man  can 
take  away,  for  it  consists  in  the  pleasing  consciousness  of  an  exercise 
of  a  measure  of  justice  and  the  performance  of  noble  action. 


48  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

"Our  criticism  applies  to  but  a  dishonorably  combined  few,  whose 
object  seems  to  be  to  shift  the  severity  of  the  times  from  their  own 
shoulders  to  the  shoulders  of  their  journeymen,  caring  little  for  their 
sufferings  so  that  they  escape — fattening  on  the  profits  of  your  labor, 
while  your  wives  and  children  are  denied  many  of  the  common  neces- 
saries of  life. 

"The  truth  is  your  employers  are  much  more  abl«  to  pay  the  exist- 
ing prices  than  you  are  to  have  your  wages  reduced,  the  pressure  oper- 
ates in  a  much  greater  degree  to  your  disadvantage  than  to  theirs,  the 
depreciated  'shinplasters'  of  the  banks,  which  are  bought  up,  no  doubt, 
with  considerable  profit  to  the  purchasers,  are  palmed  off  upon  you  in 
requital  for  your  toil,  as  though  each  rag  was  worth  its  face  in  gold, 
these  rags  you  must  take,  though  on  every  dollar  you  get  for  your 
labor  you  suffer  a  heavy  loss.  Patiently  you  have  borne  all  this,  and 
would  continue  still  to  bear  it;  but  in  the  name  of  even-handed  justice, 
and  for  the  sake  of  Heaven,  your  wives  and  your  children,  let  the  line 
of  demarcation  be  here  drawn — say  to  the  overreaching  oppressor, 
Thus  far  shalt  thou  come,  but  no  farther. 

"The  committee  are  well  convinced  that  the  chief  reason  the  unprin- 
cipled combination  of  your  employers  have  thus  dared  to  invade  your 
rights,  and  attempt  the  reduction  of  your  wages,  is  because  of  a  ru- 
mored want  of  the  union  spirit  among  yourselves.  Without  union 
nothing  can  be  effected — with  it,  everything.  Come  forward,  then,  you 
who  are  not  members  of  the  association;  and  join  in  putting  a  shoulder 
to  the  wheel.  Support  the  association,  and  the  association  will  support 
you.  There  are  some  of  you  now  in  the  city  who  are  not  members,  why 
is  this?  You  all  receive  the  benefits  which  result  from  it.  Why,  then, 
do  you  not  join  it,  and  thereby  extend  its  benefits? 

"The  committee  would  also  respectfully  impress  on  the  minds  of 
the  members  the  necessity  of  a  strict  attention  at  all  meetings  of  the 
association  and  a  firm  support  of  its  principles.  Let  each  and  all  of  us 
determine  upon  union,  strong  and  effectual  union,  and  let  the  watch- 
word be.  The  prices  of  the  association  must  and  shall  be  sustained. 

"Chas.   a.   Adams, 
"H.   D.   Bristol, 
"W.    H.    McCartenay, 
"Geo.  Hatten, 
"W.  N.   Rose, 

"Committee." 

June  6,  1840,  it  sent  out  another  "rat  list,"  which  seems  to  indicate 
that  it  went  down  in  another  strike  during  that  year,  and  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  Franklin  Typographical  Association  of  1844,  which  will 
be  referred  to  further  on. 

The  Baltimore  Typographical  Society,  being  the  second  of  the 
name,  began  its  existence  November  26,  1831,  with  25  original  mem- 
bers, adding  24  more  names  to  its  roll  within  a  month.  This  seems 
to  have  been  about  all  the  journeymen  printers  in  Baltimore,  as  dur- 
ing the   next  six   months,    or   up   to   June   30,    1832,    it   had   added   but 


EARLY    ORGAXIZATIOXS    OF    PRINTERS 


49 


S  members.  At  that  date  it  had  expelled  i,  and  5  had  forfeited  mem- 
bership. The  constitution  and  scale  of  prices  were  not  adopted  until 
June  2,  1832.  This  constitution  is  fully  outlined  in  Appendix  A,  No.  4, 
and  the  scale  of  prices  given  in  full  in  Appendix  B,  No.  3.  This  or- 
ganization still  exists  as  Typographical  Union  No.  12,  and,  next  to 
the  Washington  union,  is  the  oldest  existing  trade  organization  among 
the  printers,  it  being,  of  course,  understood  that  while  the  Philadelphia 
organization  of  180J,  and  that  of  New  York  of  1809  still  exist,  they 
have  long  since  ceased  to  be  labor  organizations. 

In  the  minutes  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society,  under  date 
of  February  3,  1832,  is  mentioned  a  communication  from  the  Typo- 
graphical Society  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  asking  for  the  Washington  list 
of  prices,  and  announcing  the  organization  of  the  printers  in  Cincinnati. 

In  November,  1833,  the  Philadelphia  Typographical  Association 
was  formed,  the  society  of  1802  having  become  a  purely  benevolent 
institution  in  183 1.  This  organization  immtdiately  opened  a  corre- 
spondence with  all  other  known  societies,  as  was  beginning  now  to  be 
the  custom,  (a)  and  at  its  meeting  held  June  zt,  1835,  passed  the  fol- 
lowing: 

"Resolved,  That  an  advance  of  zyi  cents  per  1,000  ems  be  de- 
manded in  addition  to  our  present  scale  of  prices. 

"Resolved,    That  work  by   the  week  in  book  and  job  offices  and   on 


o  As  the  letter  from  the  new  Philadelphia  organization  to  the  older 
one  in  Washington  is  of  something  more  than  local  interest,  it  is  given 
here. 

Philadelphia,  March  9,   1834. 

Sir — I  am  induced  to  attempt  this  intrusion  on  your  attention  in 
consequence  of  a  resolution  of  the  Philadelphia  Typographical  Associa- 
tion, authorizing  a  correspondence  to  be  established  with  the  typograph- 
ical trade  societies  throughout  the  Union.  The  ostensible  object  of  this 
scheme  is  to  elicit  and  impart  authentic  intelligence  connected  with  the 
interests  of  the  members  of  our  common  profession,  and  it  is  hoped  the 
imperfect  manner  in  which  the  project  may  be  commenced  will  not  be 
suffered  to  occasion  the  end  proposed  to  he  disregarded. 

The  society  in  whose  name  these  paragraphs  are  penned  was  organ- 
ized about  five  months  since.  Its  primary  and  paramount  intention  is 
the  determination  and  support  of  adequate  wages  for  journeymen  print- 
ers. That  it  must  acknowledge  so  late  an  origin  may  appear  singular; 
but  as  the  exposition  due  this  point  might  possibly  demand  a  larger 
space  than  is  allowable  at  present,  it  is  proposed  (with  your  permission) 
to  recur  to  it  at  proper   length  in  a  future  communication. 

The  outlines  of  a  constitution  have  been  agreed  upon,  but  the  de- 
tails are  still  undetermined.  A  scale  of  prices  is  also  under  revision, 
copies  of  both  which  will  be  forwarded  when  sufficiently  complete.  The 
principles  of  association  are  literal  and  definite;  the  eligibility  of  candi- 
dates consisting  in  their  being  practical  printers,  not  less  than  21  years 
of  age,  and  in  actual  connection  with  the  business. 

As  respects  numerical  strength,  the  institution  may  be  called  feeble; 
but  its  originators  were  fully  aware  that  the  mental  climate  of  our  city 
might  be  found  rather  uncongenial  to  the  rapid  growth  of  such  a  scion 
of  the  liberty  tree;  and  though  they  have  not  as  yet  decided  cause  to 
exult  in  the   result,   there  is  certainly  no  cause   for  regret. 

Since  the  formation  of  this  association,  a  trades  union  has  been 
commenced,  and  which  now  embracej  a  majority  of  the  mechanics'  so- 


50 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


afternoon  papers  be  $9  per  week  (10  hours  to  constitute  a  day's  work)^ 
and  20  cents  an  hour  for  overwork — morning  papers  to  be  charged  $10 
per  week  where  they  work  by  the  week." 

This  association  seems  tci  have  gone  out  of  existence  in  1839  or 
1840. 

Early  in  1834  the  Benevolent  Typographical  Society  of  Richmond, 
Virginia,  was  formed,  and  on  March  i  issued  a  letter  to  all  societies. 
This  letter  is  here  reproduced,  not  alone  because  of  its  value  in  de- 
scribing labor  conditions  in  the  trade,  but  as  further  evidence  that 
"benevolence"  was  not  the  most  serious  purpose  of  these  organizations 
even  when  they  put  it  first  in  their  name.  In  reading  the  statement 
that  no  "rat"  could  obtain  work  in  Richmond,  it  must  be  remembered 
that  "rat"  meant  a  man  working  below  the  scale,  and  not  necessarily 
that  a  non-member  of  the  society  could  not  secure  employment. 

"Richmond,  Va.,  March  i,  1834. 
"Dear  Sir — The  journeymen  printers  in  this  city  have  recently 
formed  a  society.  Previous  to  the  formation  of  this  society  we  had  no 
regular  prices.  The  highest  price  given  was  25  cents  for  both  MS. 
and  printed  copy.  On  the  ist  of  February  of  the  present  year,  we 
adopted  a  constitution  (a  copy  of  which  I  herewith  communicate) ; 
together  with  by-laws  for  our  government,  and  likewise  a  scale  of 
prices.  This  scale  of  prices,  as  you  will  perceive,  fixes  the  price  for 
the  composition  of  MS.  at  30  cents — that  for  print  at  28  cents — 5  cents 
for  MS.  and  3  for  print  more  than  the  highest  price  previously  given. 
There  was  no  alteration  made  in  the  price  for  presswork,  the  wages 
previously  given  being  generally  considered  sufficiently  high — the  de- 
mand for  pressmen  having  always  been  so  great  as  to  put  it  out  of 
the  power  of  the  employers  to  make  deductions  in  that  branch. 


cieties   in   the  city.      Its  present  objects   appear  rational   and   useful,  and 
its  progress  thus  far  is  reported  as  satisfactory. 

Business  with  us  is,  of  course,  dull;  indeed,  there  is  scarcely  a  vol- 
ume in  progress  in  Philadelphia.  But  the  spring  is  dawning  upon  us, 
in  whose  very  name  there  is  relief;  and  since  men's  perverseness  can 
not  mar  the  seasons  or  derange  the  sublime  machinery  of  the  planet  on 
whose  surface  their  mad  pranks  are  played,  we  think  ourselves  war- 
ranted in  looking  forward  to  better  things — in  the  solemn  determination 
(I  would  hope)  that  our  next  passover  shall  not  find  us  unprepared. 

Having  thus  endeavored  to  fulfill  my  instructions  as  far  as  is  prac- 
ticable at  this  time,  I  have  now  to  request  that  this  sheet,  or  the  sub- 
stance of  its  contents,  may  be  laid  before  your  society  at  your  earliest 
convenience;  and  we  shall  await  advices  of  the  order  taken  thereupon, 
and  also  of  the  general  state  of  affairs  at  Washington  in  the  typograph- 
ical department  with  equal  respect  and  interest.  Wishing  you  the  per- 
fect consummation  of  your  best  wishes  and  endeavors,  I  remain,  with 
much  respect, 

Vours.  H.  C.  Orr. 

P.  S.  As  our  association  commits  its  correspondence  to  the  care  of 
the  vice-president,  any  communications  intended  for  the  institution  may 
be  addressed  to  myself,  at  No.  227  Mulberry  street,  or  at  the  office  of 
the  Daily  Chronicle,   Philadelphia.  H.   C.  O. 

The  President  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  51 

The  scale  of  prices  was  adopted  on  the  ist  of  February.  A  reso- 
lution passed  requiring  them  to  go  into  operation  on  the  loth  of  that 
month.  The  employers  were  furnished  with  a  copy  of  the  list  of 
prices  on  the  3d — very  short  notice.  When  the  loth  arrived,  the  em- 
ployers, without  a  single  exception,  gave  the  wages  asked  for. 

"Things  go  on  as  smoothly  under  the  new  arrangement  as  before. 
All  the  printers  here,  with  the  exception  of  four  or  five,  have  joined 
the  society.  These,  however,  receive  the  wages  fixed  by  the  society. 
So  far  we  have  no  rats.  Before  the  society  was  formed  we  did  have 
a  few,  who  did  not  receive  the  highest  prices  then  given.  All  of  these 
have  joined  the  society  and  promised  to  receive,  in  future,  for  their 
labor  no  less  than  the  wages  fixed  by  our  scale  of  prices. 

"I  deem  it  unnecessary  to  say  more  at  present  than  to  desire  you  to 
send  us  a  copy  of  your  constitution,  etc.,  that  we  may  see  how  our 
brethren  in  your  city  are  driving  on.  I  likewise  desire  that  you  will 
write  me  a  few  lines,  giving  a  history  of  the  origin  and  progress  of  the 
society  of  which  you  are  a  member,  and  to  lay  this  communication 
before  your  society  at  its  next  meeting,  that  they  may  know  we  have 
formed  a  society  here,  and  so  on.  Communicate,  likewise,  if  you 
please,  the  fact  of  the  existence  of  our  society  to  as  many  societies  of 
this  kind  as  you  may  know  to  have  been  formed.  I  desire  this,  not  to 
put  you  to  trouble,  but  to  be  sure  of  giving  the  information  desired. 
It  is  my  intention  to  write  to  as  many  as  I  have  yet  heard  of.  If  you 
will  be  so  kind  as  to  comply  with  my  request  in  this  particular,  be 
pleased  not  to  omit  to  state  that  it  is  impossible  to  obtain  work  at  our 
business  in  Richmond  as  a  rat,  so  as  to  save  those  whose  intentions 
were  to  make  the  attempt  the  trouble  and  expense  of  the  voyage. 
"Respectfully, 

"R.  S.  Redford, 
"Cor.  Sec.  Ben.  Typ.  Soc.  of  Richmond. 

"The  CoRRESPON-DiNG  Sec'y  Tvp.  Soc'y  at  Washington. 

"N.  R. — I  should  like  to  hear  from  you  previous  to  the  next  meet- 
ing of  our  society,  which  takes  place  on  the  ist  Saturday  in  April. 

"R.  S.   R." 

It  will  be  necessary  here  to  relate  the  trouble  that  the  Columbia 
Typographical  Society  at  Washington  had  in  1834  with  one  of  the 
local  newspaper  proprietors.  Gen.  Duff  Green,  who  was  also  printer 
to  the  United  States  Senate.  This  difficulty  drew  the  typographical 
organizations  of  the  country  into  closer  touch  than  anything  before 
had  done,  and  led  directly  to  the  national  organization  of  1836. 

The  apprentice  question  had  been  a  source  of  infinite  trouble  to 
the  societies  from  the  very  first.  From  time  to  time  the  term  of  ap- 
prenticeship had  been  lengthened  by  various  societies  increasing  it 
from  three  to  four,  then  from  four  to  five  years,  in  the  vain  hope  of 
reducing  the  competition  from  this  source.  Rut  there  was  no  effective 
means    of    preventing    apprentices    from    running    away,    and    the    longer 


52 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


apprenticeship  only  increased  the  temptation  to  do  so,  hence  made 
matters  worse.  True,  the  master  could  legally  compel  the  return  of  a 
runaway,  if  he  could  find  him,  but  the  supply  of  new  apprentices  and 
of  other  runaways  willing  to  work  for  one-half  or  two-thirds  the  estab- 
lished price  for  journeymen  made  it  unprofitable  to  search  for  escaped 
apprentices.  The  fact  that  a  runaway  apprentice  could,  and  would,  be 
so  employed  at  rates  higher,  to  say  the  least,  than  his  apprentice  rates, 
operated  also  to  put  a  premium  on  running  away.  All  of  the  early 
societies  had  had  more  serious  trouble  with  this  than  had  that  of 
Washington,  which  was  exceptionally  fortunate  in  many  ways.  In 
1833,  however,  General  Green  began  employing  "two-thirders"  on  his 
paper,  the  United  States  Telegraph,  and  later  introduced  a  large  num- 
ber of  boys  as  apprentices  in  doing  the  Government  printing.  He  now 
proposed  (1834)  to  establish  what  he  called  the  Washington  Institute, 
but  which  was  termed  by  the  printers  "a  manual-labor  school."  In  this 
institute  he  proposed  to  take  200  boys  each  year  and  teach  them  the 
printing  trade,  allowing  them  $2  a  week  each  for  their  work,  which  $2 
was  not,  however,  to  be  paid  to  them,  but  kept  as  a  trust  fund  and  in- 
vested by  their  employer  for  such  of  them  as  should  remain  with  him 
the   full  period. 

The  first  intimation  of  the  excitement  which  this  matter  finally 
caused  is  found  in  the  special  meeting  of  January  11,  1834.  At  this 
meeting  its  president  stated  that  its  object  was  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  subject  of  Gen.  Duff  Green's  speech  at  the  late  celebration  of 
the  Columbia  Typographical  Society,  and  to  adopt  such  measures  as 
would  more  effectually  protect  the  society  against  his  plans,  if  attempted 
to  be  carried  into  execution,  and  concluded  by  offering  the  following 
preamble  and  resolutions: 

"Whereas,  At  a  late  meeting  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  So- 
ciety, Duff  Green,  editor  of  the  United  States  Telegraph,  did  declare 
that  he  intended  to  monopolize  all  the  work  that  was  possible,  and 
that  he  had  intended  to  employ  a  large  number  of  children  to  take  the 
place  of  the  journeymen  now  employed  by  him,  and  that  he  wished  to 
raise  up  a  respectable  class  of  men  to  take  our  places;  and 

"Whereas,  The  patronage  of  the  press  of  this  city  is  almost  wholly 
derived  from  the  Government,  and  that  we  have  a  right,  as  men,  to 
participate  in  its  profits,  which  his  views,  if  carried  out,  would  engross 
to  himself;  be  it 

"Resolved,  That  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society  are  desirous 
of  adopting  such  measures  as  shall  be  advantageous  to  the  employing 
printers,  in  this  city,  insure  their  own  rights,  and  preserve  the  respect- 
ability of  the  profession. 

"Resolved,  That  we  look  upon  the  proposed  measure  of  Duff 
Green,  editor  of  the  United  States  Telegraph,  as  visionary  in  its  final 
results,  subversive  of  our  rights,  as  journeymen  printers,  and  destruc- 
tive of  the  profession  to  which  we  belong: 

"Therefore,  resolved.    That   a  committee   of  be   appointed   to 

take    the    subject    into    consideration,    and    prepare    a    report    of    their 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    I'RINTKRS  53 

deliberations,  which  when  they  have  completed,  they  shall  submit  to  a 
general  meeting  of  the  printers  of  this  district,  to  be  called  by  them,  at 
such  time  and  place,  as  they  shall  deem  fit  and  proper." 

After   considerable   discussion,    Mr.    Freeland   offered   the   following 

as  a  substitute: 

"Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  society  that  tlie  practice 
which  has  lately  come  into  vogue,  of  employing  an  undue  number  of 
apprentices,  is  destructive  of  the  rights  and  interests  of  journeymen, 
and  detrimental  to  employing  printers; 

"Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed,  whose  business 
it  shall  be,  whenever  they  shall  think  it  necessary  to  do  so,  to  call  a 
general  meeting  of  the  printers  of  this  city  to  take  the  subject  into 
consideration." 

The  committee  at  this  time  reported  against  taking  any  action  until 
something  more  definite  was  evolved.  Up  to  this  time  no  organiza- 
tion of  printers  had  attempted  to  restrict  the  number  of  apprentices. 
In  nearly  every  city  except  Washington  the  custom  of  employing  a 
few  journeymen  to  direct  the  work  of  many  so-called  apprentices  was 
firmly  established.  In  a  letter  to  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society 
March  21,  1834,  Gen.  Duff  Green  takes  the  position  that  any  objec- 
tion to  his  "school  for  printers"  by  the  society  must  be  based  upon  an 
assumption  of  the  right  of  the  society  to  "regulate  the  number  of 
apprentices  which  I  may  think  proper  to  employ,  and  to  otherwise  in- 
terfere so  as  to  defeat  the  end  I  have  in  view." 

In  reply  the  society  denied  that  it  "assumes  the  right  to  regulate 
the  number  of  your  apprentices  or  that  of  any  gentleman."  In  a  letter 
dated  April  7,   1834,  General  Green  says  to  the  society's  committee: 

"Your  society  can  have  no  right  to  inquire  into  the  age  of  the  per- 
sons whom  I  employ.  *  »  «  But  if,  instead  of  employing  50  jour- 
neymen, I  find  it  to  my  interest  to  employ  but  10,  any  attempt  on  your 
part  to  enter  into  a  combination  to  drive  those  10  out  of  my  employment, 
without  I  would  give  employment  to  the  other  40,  would  be  an  offense 
against  my  rights,  for  which  the  laws  have  made  ample  provision,  and 
which  it  would  become  my  duty  to  enforce." 

An  elaborate  "prospectus  of  the  Washington  Institute"  was  car- 
ried on  the  first  page  of  Mr.  Green's  paper,  the  Telegraph,  for  some 
time,  acting  practically  as  an  advertisement  for  boys  to  fill  his  school. 
The  society  appointed  another  committee  to  report  on  the  matter. 
This  committee  was  of  the  opinion  that  Mr.  Green  would  be  able  to 
fill  his  school  (this  being  the  point  upon  which  the  former  committee 
had  advised  non-action),  and  recommended  that  a  protest  be  formu- 
lated and  given  as  wide  a  circulation  as  the  prospectus  had  enjoyed,  (u) 

a  One  paragraph  of  the  committee's  report  is  here  given  as  indica- 
tive of  the  social  conditions: 

The  committee  have  understood,  also,  that  it  is  the  intention  of  Mr. 


54  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

This  protest  was  accordingly  issued,  and  sent  not  only  to  every  print- 
ers' society,  but  to  the  unorganized  printers  employed  on  the  principal 
papers  throughout  the  United  States.  In  addition  to  this  protest,  which 
was  issued  by  the  society,  as  such,  a  pamphlet  was  published  containing 
the  proceedings  of  a  public  mass  meeting,  together  with  an  "Address 
to  the  people  of  the  United  States,"  emanating  from  the  meeting 
(such  addresses  were  common  in  those  days),  the  expense  of  printing 
the  pamphlet  being  met  by  a  collection  taken  up  at  the  meeting.  This 
pamphlet,  a  copy  of  which  is  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  and  the 
"protest,"  copied  from  the  minutes  of  the  society,  are  here  repro- 
duced in  Appendix  A,  No.  12.  The  Baltimore  society  had  taken  action 
on  the  subject  from  newspaper  reports  and  sent  a  letter  to  the  Colum- 
bia society  in  time  to  incorporate  it  in  the  proceedings  of  the  public 
meeting.  It  will  be  noted  that  the  protest  contained  an  appeal  to  jour- 
neymen printers  not  to  come  to  Washington  to  act  as  teachers  in  the 
proposed  school.  It  was  the  fear  of  this  that  prompted  the  appointment 
of  a  committee  of  seven,  under  the  following  resolution,  adopted  March 
7,   1834: 

"Ordered,  That  a  committee  of  seven  members  be  appointed  by 
the  chair,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  confer  with  each  other,  and  report 
to  this  society,  at  their  next  meeting,  what,  in  their  opinion,  would  be 
the  most  proper  and  effectual  course  to  pursue  to  bring  about  the  es- 
tablishment of  a  national  typographical  society." 

Response  was  received  from  the  typographical  society  at  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  inclosing-  a  copy  of  its  constitution  and  resolutions  against 
"the  Duflf  Green  school  for  printers,"  and  on  the  same  date  from 
Charleston  (S.  C.)  Typographical  Society,  indorsing  protest  against 
the  school.     This  is  the  first  reference   found  to  these  societies.     Rich- 


Green,  in  organizing  his  school,  to  draw  a  portion  of  his  scholars  from 
the  houses  of  refuge  in  the  northern  cities.  Now,  although  the  com- 
mittee object  not  to  the  character  of  any  boy,  when  it  is  affected  only  by 
his  origin,  believing  that  when  he  comes  to  man's  estate  he  must  stand 
or  fall  by  his  individual  merit,  yet  there  is  no  doubt,  from  the  facility 
with  which  these  boys  may  be  obtained  by  Mr.  Green,  the  society  will 
have  a  delicate  and  difficult  matter  on  hand  in  attempting  to  prevent 
their  employment  in  this  school.  With  the  principals  of  these  extensive 
institutions,  the  specious  and  deceptive  arguments  of  the  prospectus  will, 
no  doubt,  have  powerful  weight  and  influence.  So  far,  then,  as  the  suc- 
cess of  the  project  of  Mr.  Green  shall  depend  merely  on  the  attainment 
of  scholars,  it  is  likely  to  be  insured  by  the  readiness  with  which,  no 
doubt,  the  i)rincipals  of  those  houses  will  supply  him  with  the  boys  un- 
der their  charge.  The  committee  can  conceive  of  no  other  mode  of  pre- 
venting this  consummation  than  by  circulating  among  these  gentlemen  a 
direct  refutation  of  the  principles  laid  down  in  the  prospectus.  It  is  in 
no  degree  their  interest  to  aid  Mr.  (^reen  in  his  schemes — they  look 
only  to  the  welfare  of  their  charge;  and,  if  it  shall  appear  to  them,  as 
in  the  end,  should  we  adopt  this  course,  it  no  doubt  will,  that,  instead 
of  benefiting  the  boys  for  whose  future  welfare  they  are  in  a  measure 
responsible,  the  scheme  of  Mr.  Green  will  be  more  likely  to  blast  their 
prospects  in  life,  be  assured  they  will  not  be  instrumental  in  aiding  the 
establishment  of  the  Washington  Institute. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    I'RINTKRS  55 

mond,  Va.,  responded,  and  later  other  southern  societies.  December 
13,  1834,  the  Philadelphia  association  notified  the  Washington  society 
that  Gen.  Duff  Green  was  employing  printers  in  Philadelphia  and  else- 
where "on  condition  that  they  would  have  no  connection  with  the  so- 
ciety," and  that  as  fast  as  he  secured  "strangers"  "society  men"  were 
being  discharged.  Matters  went  on  from  bad  to  worse  until  a  strike 
was  declared  against  General  Green  March  14,  1835,  the  causes  alleged 
being  "against  the  employment  of  too  many  apprentices,"  for  the  so- 
ciety's scale  of  prices  (or  against  "two-thirders"),  because  of  discrimina- 
tion against  "society  men,"  and  for  the  discharge  of  the  foreman.  With 
the  details  of  this  long  strike  itself  we  have  nothing  to  do.  It  was, 
however,  the  occasion  of  bringing  the  scattered  associations  into  closer 
touch  with  each  other.  For  the  first  time  in  its  history  the  Washington 
society  sent  out  a  "rat  circular."  Philadelphia  and  New  York  promised 
to  restrain  their  members  from  accepting  employment  in  the  Washing- 
ton establishment,  and  the  Philadelphia  association  expelled  all  its  mem- 
bers who  did  so.  Later  the  Washington  society  asked  New  York,  Phila- 
delphia, Baltimore,  and  Boston  for  a  list  of  all  "two-thirders"  and 
names  and  description  of  all  "rats"  in  those  cities.  This  request  seems 
to  have  been  ignored. 

October  14,  1835,  the  Washington  society  passed  the  following  reso- 
lution: 

"Resolved,  That  the  members  of  this  society  having  heretofore  de- 
termined not  to  accept  employment  in  the  office  of  Duff  Green,  do 
still  adhere  to  that  resolution,  and  will  neither  accept  employment  in 
that  office,  nor  in  any  other  office  in  which  any  hands  or  hand  employed 
by  the  said  Green  since  the  28th  of  March,  1835,  or  by  his  successor, 
E.  R.  Gibson,  may  hereafter  be  employed,  until  the  obnoxious  indi- 
vidual or  individuals  be  discharged." 

This  sweeping  resolution,  exceedingly  radical  for  that  day,  and  cer- 
tainly so  for  this  society,  was  forwarded  to  all  other  societies  in  the 
United  States  and  endorsed  by  most  of  them,  thus  foreshadowing  the 
action  of  the  national  convention  of  the  next  year  (1836),  making  "a 
rat"  so  declared  by  one  printers'  organization  to  be  considered  such 
by  all. 

Two  other  societies  are  mentioned  in  1835  for  the  first  time.  First, 
that  of  the  Mississippi  Typographical  Association,  of  Natchez,  Miss., 
which  sent  out  a  "rat  list"  as  a  result  of  a  strike  September  19,  1835, 
and  another  communication  November  6;  and,  second,  the  New  Orleans 
Typographical  Association,  organized  May  9,  1835,  indicating  that  the 
society  organized  there  in    1830  had  ceased  to  exist. 

In  June,  1835,  the  Franklin  Society,  of  Cincinnati,  had  a  strike 
against  a  reduction  of  wages  in  one  establishment.  It  seems  that 
"strangers"  were  brought  in  from  Pittsburg  and  elsewhere.  Novcmhcr 
6,  1835.  the  Cincinnati  society  sent  out  a  circular  calling  for  a  national 
convention.  No  copy  of  this  circular  has  been  found,  but  upon  its  re- 
ceipt  the   Washington   society   appointed   a  committee   to   report   on    the 


56 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


subject.     This   report,   which   was  accepted  and   issued   to   other   societies 
as  a  call  for  the  convention,  was  as  follows: 

"Mr.  Wm.  Walters,  from  the  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the 
circular  from  the  Franklin  Typ.  Society  of  Cincinnati,  proposing  a 
National  Typ.  Society,  presented  the  following  report: 

Your  committee   have   carefully   read   the   report   and   resolutions    of 
the  Franklin  Typographical  Society,  of  Cincinnati,   Ohio. 
"The   resolutions   propose — 

"  'ist.  That  each  society  in  its  own  district  be  sustained  by  all 
others  in  the  prices  it  may  establish. 

"  '2d.  That  journeymen  bringing  certificates  of  membership  in  any 
society,  of  good  standing,  receive  a  preference  over  all  others  in  the 
efforts  made  to  procure  them  employment. 

"  '3d.  That  rats,  pronounced  such  by  one  society,  be  considered  as 
such  by  all  other  societies.' 

"If  there  be  a  community  of  men,  which,  more  than  another,  has 
felt  the  necessity  of  a  closer  union  amongst  the  different  typographical 
societies  of  the  United  States,  it  is  our  own.  During  the  two  last 
years  the  society  and  many  of  its  members  have  been  the  victims  of  the 
most  unrelenting  persecution  and  proscription.  Single  handed  they 
have  encountered  the  force  of  this  opposition,  for  although  one  or  two 
societies  nobly  cheered  our  efforts,  the  great  body  of  them  stood  aloof, 
apparently  idle  spectators  of  the  controversy.  Any  other  course,  how- 
ever, could  scarcely  have  been  looked  for  from  them,  when  we  consider 
the  distance  which  separates  them  and  the  absence  of  any  effective 
bonds  of  union  between  them. 

"A  close  examination  of  the  resolutions  proposed  by  the  Franklin 
Typ.  Society  has  convinced  your  committee  that  they  do  not  go  far 
enough.  Each  of  the  propositions  has  been  in  [a]  degree,  and  is  now 
enforced  by  almost  every  society  in  the  Union.  There  is,  however,  no 
obligation  to  uphold  them  existing  amongst  any  of  the  societies,  and 
our  own  experience  teaches  us  that  the  declaration  we  have  all  made 
'to  procure  employment  for  a  member  of  the  society  in  preference  to 
any  other  person'  has  been  but  loosely  observed;  or,  to  use  the  more 
forcible  language  of  the  Franklin  Typographical  Society,  'the  certificate 
of  membership  ought  no  longer  to  procure  from  us  a  mere  assent  of 
the  good  standing  of  the  holder,  but  should  call  forth  our  active  friend- 
ship for  the  bearer — our  zealous  effort  to  get  him  into  employment  in 
preference  to  all  others.' 

"All  this  and  much  more  should  be  done;  and  the  question  for  us 
to  consider  is,  what  are  the  means  necessary  for  its  accomplishment? 
what  additional  measures  are  necessary  in  order  to  permanently,  not 
merely  transiently,  to  assent  to  such  regulations  amongst  the  different 
typographical  societies  of  the  United  States  as  shall  ensure  to  every 
member  of  every  society,  a  proper  equivalent  for  his  labor,  and  a  good 
prospect  of  constant  employment  while  ever  he  shall  remain  within  the 
pale  of  the  honorable  members  of  the  craft? 

"Deeply  impressed  with   the   importance  of  the  measure,   your  com- 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRTNTKRS 


57 


mittee  are  about  to  propose,  in  order  to  accomplish  these  most  desir- 
able results,  they  beg  leave  to  assure  the  society  that  it  has  not  been 
without  the  most  mature  reflection  that  they  have  brought  forward  the 
resolutions  which  are  appended,  and  which  they  believe  will  alone  pro- 
vide a  remedy  sufficiently  ample  for  the  widespread  evils  which  arc  now 
felt. 

"Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  different  typographical 
societies  of  the  United  States  to  form  a  union  of  societies,  under  such 
name  as  the  convention  to  be  held  for  that  purpose  shall  designate. 

"Resolved,  That  in  order  to  form  such  union,  a  convention  be  held 
in  the  city  of  Washington  on  the  3d  day  of  March  next,  to  be  com- 
posed of  three  delegates  from  every  typographical  society  existing  in 
the  United  States. 

"Resolved,  That  the  convention  shall  have  power  to  draft  a  consti- 
tution, and  such  other  regulations  as  shall  be  thought  proper  for  the 
government  of  the  union,  which  constitution  shall  be  submitted  to  the 
local  societies  for  their  adoption;  and  whenever  two-thirds  of  the  local 
societies  shall  agree  to  the  said  constitution,  the  government  of  the 
union  shall  be  considered  as  formed,  and  annual  meetings  take  place  ac- 
cordingly. 

"Resolved,  That  the  power  now  possessed  by  the  different  societies 
to  regulate  the  prices  within  their  respective  limits,  shall  not  be  in- 
fringed by  any  regulation  of  the  convention. 

"Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  forwarded  to  every 
typographical  society  in  the  United  States;  and  that  such  of  them  as 
shall  agree  to  them,  be  requested  to  appoint  delegates,  without  further 
notice,  to  attend  the  convention. 

"(Signed)  "\Vm.   Walters, 

"J AS.  Brown, 
"Wm.   W.    Clrras." 

The  report  and  resolutions  having  been  read,  the  second  resolution 
was  amended  by  inserting  the  first  Monday  of  June  as  the  time  of  the 
meeting  of  the  convention,  and  as  amended  were  adopted  unanimously. 

Letters  approving  of  the  convention  and  promising  to  send  dele- 
gates were  received  from  Harrisburg  (Pa.)  Typographical  Association 
August  26,  1836  (first  mention);  Baltimore.  July  3°:  Nashville.  Tcnn.. 
August  26;  Philadelphia,  August  27;  Cincinnati,  August  28;  Richmond. 
Va.,  October  14,  and  later  letters  along  the  same  line  were  received 
from  New  Orleans,  and  from  Mobile,  Ala.  (first  mention).  New  Or- 
leans named  two  members  of  the  Washington  society  and  asked  that 
they  be  permitted  to  act  as  proxy  delegates  from  New  Orleans,  thus  in- 
augurating from  the  very  start  that  system  of  proxy  representation  that 
has  many  times  since  so  nearly  disrupted  organizations.  October  14. 
1836,  the  Washington  society  met  to  elect  delegates  to  the  convention 
and  appoint  a  committee  to  arrange  for  the  same,  since  it  was  to  be  held 
in  Washington.  At  the  meeting  the  society  decided  to  "pay  all  the  ex- 
penses of  the  National  Typographical   Convention." 

The  first  convention  of  the  National  Typographical   Society  met   in 


58 


A   ^DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


the  aldermen's  chamber,  city  hall,  Washington,  D.  C,  November  7, 
1836,  the  session  lasting  five  days.  Delegates  were  present  from  the 
typographical  societies  in  Baltimore,  New  York  city,  Washington,  Har- 
risburg.  Pa.,  Philadelphia,  and  by  proxy  from  New  Orleans.  The  dele- 
gate from  the  Philadelphia  association  was  excluded  from  the  conven- 
tion, not  because  of  any  objection  to  the  association,  but  because  the 
Washington  society  succeeded  in  proving  that  the  delegate  himself  was 
one  of  the  men  that  had  worked  for  a  time  in  the  Duff  Green  establish- 
ment during  the  strike.  The  Philadelphia  association  evidently  was  not 
aware  of  this  when  it  elected  him,  as  he  was  immediately  expelled  by 
that  association. 

The  convention  was  welcomed  in  an  address  from  the  mayor  of 
the  city,  Hon.  Peter  Force, (a)  who  had  joined  the  New  York  Typo- 
graphical Society  in  1812,  and  was  its  president  in  1815.  In  i8i5  he 
joined  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society,  and  became  its  first  "free 
member"  in  1826. 

The  convention  adopted  a  constitution  (which  as  amended  in  1837 
is  given  in  the  appendix  hereto)  and  issued  two  addresses,  one  to  the 
various  typographical  societies  in  the  United  States,  the  other  to  the 
printers  of  the  country  in  general.  Both  of  these  documents  appear  in 
Appendix  A,  No.  9. 

To  the  local  societies  the  convention  appealed  for  a  closer  relation 
one  with  the  other;  proposing  uniform  regulations  regarding  appren- 
tices; that  runaways  from  one  office  should  not  be  permitted  to  work 
in  any  other;  that  members  expelled  from  one  society  for  any  good 
cause  shall  not  be  admitted  to  membership  by  any  other  society;  that 
no  member  of  any  society  should  work  in  any  printing  office  where 
such  expelled  member  is  employed,  until  he  is  reinstated  by  the  orig- 
inal society;  there  was  to  be  an  exchange  of  "rat"  lists,  and,  most  im- 
portant of  all,  the  societies  were  advised  to  open  their  doors  to  mem- 
bership for  all  printers  then  working  at  the  trade  as  journeymen, 
whether  they  served  an  apprenticeship  or  not;  then  after  organizing  all 
these,  put  up  the  bars  and  require  a  six-year  apprenticeship.     There  had 


a  \'isitors  going  up  in  the  Washington  monument  may  see  carved  in 
one  of  its  largest  stones  the  name  "Peter  Force."  Students  of  indus- 
trial history  prefer,  however,  to  remember  him  by  a  monument  of  very 
different  character.  Mr.  Force  was  for  a  number  of  years  one  of  the 
proprietors  of  a  job  printing  office  in  Washington.  Here  he  executed 
many  of  the  "broadsides"  so  ciiaracteristic  of  the  time,  and  here  was 
printed  the  constitutions  of  many  civic  societies  of  all  kinds.  He  seems 
to  have  had  a  keen  intuition  of  the  historical  value  of  things,  and  early 
began  a  collection  of  tracts,  broadsides,  constitutions,  etc.,  which  he  ulti- 
mately gave  to  the  library  of  congress  as  the  Force  Collection  of  Tracts 
— a  veritable  gold  mine  of  industrial  information,  especially  as  relating 
to  tlie  southern  states.  In  those  days  tracts  and  "broadsides"  occupied 
relatively  the  position  of  magazine  articles  and  newspaper  discussions  of 
today,  and  their  preservation  for  future  reference  was  of  utmost  impor- 
tance. Mr.  l'"orce  was  of  great  assistance  to  the  typographical  societies 
as  an  employer  in  their  struggle  with  the  apprentice  problem.  As  indi- 
cated in  the  text,  he  was  mayor  of  Washington,  and  was  employed  by 
tlie  government  to  plan  or  outline  a  system  for  a  government  printing 
establishment. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    I'RINTI-RS  jg 

for  years  been  two  factions  in  the  societies— one.  seeing  that  the  ap 
prenticeship  requirements  were  creating  an  army  of  printers  sufficiently 
large  to  do  all  the  work,  outside  of  the  societies  because  of  ineligibility. 
wanted  to  temporarily  let  down  the  bars  and  organize  the  trade,  and 
then  increase  the  requirements;  the  other  faction,  sticking  to  the  old 
traditions,  sought  to  remedy  the  evil  by  increasing  the  severity  of  ap- 
prenticeship. It  seems  that  the  societies  had  elected  delegates  to  the 
convention  from  the  more  radical  factions  in  nearly  every  instance. 
This  entire  address  should  be  carefully  read  as  being  a  presentation  by 
the  workmen  themselves  of  their  view  of  the  situation. 

The  address  to  the  printers  of  the  United  States  in  general,  whether 
organized  or  not,  is  likewise  of  importance  and  interest.  There  arc  a 
few  references  in  this  document  that  require  some  explanation  at  the 
present  time  in  order  to  be  understood.  The  early  printer  expected  to 
work  a  short  while  as  a  journeyman,  then  start  a  paper  or  job  office 
for  himself.  His  employer  was  "a  practical  printer"  like  himself.  The 
appearance  of  the  publisher  who  simply  owned  the  plant  and  employed 
men  to  do  the  work  of  editing  as  well  as  printing  the  paper  alarmed  the 
early  compositors.  These  tirades  against  the  "speculator  on  the  labor 
of  printers,"  and  against  "the  hireling  editor,"  are  but  the  manifesta- 
tions of  his  natural  alarm  at  the  commencement  of  the  changing  condi- 
tions. The  advent  of  large  capital  into  the  printing  business  suggested 
to  him  the  possible  permanency  of  journcymanship  for  him  as  an  indi- 
vidual. What  he  said  and  did  was  his  protest  against  the  prospect  of 
being  involved  in  a  permanent  wage  condition.  All  the  documents  of 
this  period  must  be  read  with  this  constantly  in  mind,  and  especially 
this  address  to  the  printers  in   1836.(0) 

a  Speaking  to  tlie  toast  "The  'Practical  Printer'  Editor,"  before  the 
Franklin  Typographical  Society,  of  Boston,  at  its  twenty-third  anniver- 
sary banquet  (this  society  was  organized  in  1822,  but  was  never  a  trade 
organization),  Hon.  J.  T.  Buckingham,  editor  of  the  Boston  Courier, 
said  that  when  he  was  a  young  man  the  printer  considered  it  a  reproach 
if  he  did  not  edit  his  own  paper.  "Every  journeyman  expected  to  have 
a  printing  office  and  a  paper  of  his  own.  Originally,  of  course,  the 
great  printers — Caxton,  Gutenburg,  Faust — were  all  scholarly  men." 
Continuing,  Mr.  Buckingham  said:  "In  the  year  181 1  .Messrs.  Young 
and  Miners,  printers  and  proprietors  of  the  Massachusetts  Mercury,  at 
the  suggestion  of  the  late  Reverend  Doctor  Morse,  of  Charleston,  en- 
gaged a  gentleman  from  New  Haven  as  an  editor  for  their  paper,  which 
then  took  the  name  of  the  'New  England  Palladium;'  and  this,  so  far 
as  I  can  learn,  was  the  first  instance  in  Boston  of  employment  of  a  pro- 
fessional editor.  At  this  time  (January  15,  1848)  I  am  the  only  indi- 
vidual now  living  in  Boston,  if  not  in  tlie  Commonwealth,  wlw  unites 
the  printer  and  the  editor  in  one  man." 

Beginning  thus  in  181 1  this  "innovation,"  as  the  printers  called^  it. 
spread  until  it  became  one  of  the  grievances  complained  of  by  the  New 
York  Printers'  Association  in  1831,  and  was  made  one  of  the  burdens 
of  the  address  of  the  national  convention  of  18.16.  In  i8jH  a  resolution 
was  introduced  in  the  Washington  Typographical  Society  demanding 
that  members  be  not  permitted  to  work  for  proprietors  not  themselves 
"practical  printers."  And  in  18.19  a  circular  appeal  was  sent  from  an 
association  in  Mississippi  to  all  printers'  organizations  requesting  thctn 
to  refuse,  after  a  given  date,  to  work  for  the  non-printer^  who.  as  a  capi- 
talist, was  merely  "speculating  on  the  labor  of  printers." 

The   immediate  cause  of  this  circular   from   the  south   was  no  doubt 


6o  A    DOCXIMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

A  notice  printed  on  the  cover  of  the  published  proceedings  of  this 
convention  of   1836,  and  dated  November   26,  is   of  interest.     It  follows: 

"Since  the  adjournment  of  the  convention  the  committee  on  publi- 
cation   have    learned    with    much    regrtt    that    two    attempts    have    in    the 

the  fact  that  Gen.  Duff  Green  had,  after  leaving  Washington,  attempted 
to  organize  "The  American  Literary  Company,"  operating  from  Colum- 
bia, S.  C,  his  plan  still  being  to  employ  boys  under  the  guise  of  teach- 
ing them  a  trade.  The  co-operative  ideas  of  the  time,  or  what  may  be 
called  the  great  employ-yourself-movement  of  1830  to  1855,  vvhich,  among 
other  things,  produced  the  "Brook  Farm,"  had  something  to  do  with  it, 
too,  as  such  ideas  were  in  the  air;  but  the  "practical  printer's"  inbred 
fear  of  the  "professional  editor"  and  the  "speculator"  was  the  energiz- 
ing thought.  The  reply  of  the  Washington  society  to  this  circular  ask- 
ing that  journeymen  refuse  to  work  for  men  not  themselves  practical 
printers  is  full  of  historic  significance  and  is  quoted  in  full.  It  also 
shows  that  all  hope  of  the  national  organization's  success  had  not  been 
lost  in  1839: 

Washington,  D.  C,  September  22,  1839. 

Dear  Sir — I  have  laid  before  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society 
the  papers  which  you  forwarded  on  the  subject  of  "real  and  counterfeit 
printers."  Every  member  was  furnished  with  a  copy  of  it  at  a  special 
meeting;  and  on  the  evening  of  the  last  convention — the  first  Saturday 
of  the  present  month — the  subject  was  laid  upon  the  table,  nem.   diss. 

A  resolution  embracing  the  same  subject  was  offered  for  our  con- 
sideration about  fifteen  months  ago.  After  some  debate,  it  was  indefi- 
nitely postponed.  No  one  has  since  moved  that  its  consideration  be  re- 
sumed. Some  of  our  members,  privately,  thought  the  intentions  of  the 
resolutions  impracticable.  For  instance,  they  would  say:  "How  can  you 
cause  the  mammoth  establishments  of  New  York  and  other  cities  to  be 
resigned  to  the  practical  printer?  Where  can  you  find  practicals  with 
sufficient  capital  or  credit  to  undertake  such  establishments?  It  is  true 
some  printers  might  refuse  to  work  for  the  present  employers,  in  ex- 
pectation of  achieving  the  desired  result;  but  in  the  present  disunited 
condition  of  the  craft  others  could  be  found  who  would  ptrform  the  la- 
bor required."  Such  arguments  as  these  are  plausible,  and  the  novelty 
of  the  proposition  has  not  yet  become  familiar  to  those  immediately  in- 
terested. 

Should,  however,  the  National  Typographical  Union  ever  go  into 
operation  and  the  printers  be  awakened  to  the  true  sense  of  danger 
threatened  by  newspaper  speculators — when  all  of  our  profession  shall 
be  bound  by  a  brotherly  tie,  united  in  the  same  cause,  with  a  detcrMiina- 
tion  to  make  it  prosper — then,  only  then,  can  we  look  with  conidcnce 
to  the  consummation  of  our  wishes.  But  at  present,  wlien  not  one- 
fourth  of  the  printers  north  of  Baltimore  belong  to  the  local  societies, 
and  all  means  to  induce  those  who  are  not  members  to  join  one,  or 
create  a  society  where  none  exists,  have  proved  fruit'ess.  it  seems  su- 
p-rerogatory  to  urge  the  measure  at  the  time  set  forth  in  Mr.  North's 
circular.  The  great  subject  of  tlie  union  should  be  the  first  to  grasp 
.and  occupy  our  minds.  We  should  persevere  in  urging  concert  of  action 
and  association.  Without  it  we  can  do  nothing  toward  effecting  the  ob- 
ject communicated. 

It  has  occurred  to  many  of  us  that  if  the  southern  and  western 
states  were  to  form  a  typographical  union,  it  would  soon  extend  to 
other  portions  of  the  country.  It  would  be  more  expedient  in  the  direc- 
tion named  than  elsewhere,  as  journeymen  there  are  more  free  to  act 
for  themselves,  not  having  much,  if  any,  fear  of  an  army  of  apprentices 
being  thrust  into  their  places  if  they  should  dare  to  assert  their  dearest 
rights.  You,  of  course,  know  that  such  has  been  the  procedure  in  a  few 
cities  of  the  north.  Boys  of  hut  a  few  months'  initiation  in  the  pro- 
fession infest  thf-m  from  the  neighboring  towns,  and  in  Philadelphia  men 
are   not  considered   rats   if   they  get  the  prices  exacted  by  the   tariff,   al- 


EARLY    ORGAXIZATIOXS    OF    I'RI.VTF.RS  d 

south  been  made  to  injure  the  journeymen.  Tliey  would,  therefore, 
urge  upon  all  printers  in  every  city,  town,  and  village  where  no  society 
exists  to  establish  one  as  soon  as  practicable  to  enable  them  to  be  repre- 
sented in  the  National  Typographical   Society  in   September  next." 

The  "two  attempts  to  injure  the  journeymen"  referred,  no  doubt, 
to  the  strike  in  Richmond,  \'a.,  in  November,  1836,  to  enforce  the  ap- 
prentice section  of  the  local  constitution,  and  to  fight  the  union  in 
Augusta,  Ga.,  was  making  against  that  printers'  Banquo,  Gen.  Duff 
Green,  who  had  taken  his  boys'  scliool  idea  with  him  and  gone  to 
South  Carolina  to  organize  "The  American  Literary  Company."  The 
Augusta  association  had  gotten  out  a  circular,  similar  to  the  Washing- 
ton society's  "protest,"  which  circular  was  printed  in  the  Washington 
papers  at  the  expense  of  the  local  society.  At  the  request  of  the  Au- 
gusta association  the  Washington  society  had  a  transcript  of  its  min- 
utes, and  all  documents  and  letters  relative  to  the  Uuff  Green  matter, 
made  and  forwarded  to  the  former  organization — no  smalj  nor  inex- 
pensive task  in   those  pre-typewriter  days. 

The  second  convention  of  the  National  Typographical  Society  met 
in  New  York  city  September  4,  1837,  with  delegates  from  eight  so- 
cieties in  the  United  States,  and  a  fraternal  delegate  from  Nova  Scotia, 
who  was  seated  with  full  powers,  predictive  of  admission  of  Canadian 
unions  into  the  National,  thus  forming  the  present  International  Typo- 
graphical Union  in  1869.  It  is  doubtful  whether  the  proceedings  of 
this  convention  were  ever  printed.  No  copy  has  been  found  in  the 
search  for  data  for  this  report.  The  report  of  the  Washington  dele- 
gates will,  however,  give  an  idea  of  the  proceedings,  and  is  here  tran- 
scribed entire  from  the  minutes  of  that  society: 

"Washington,  January  6,   1838. 

"The  delegates  appointed  by  the  Canadian  Typographical  Society. 
to  attend  the  national  association,  which  was  to  assemble  in  the  city  of 
New  York  on  the  4th  Sept.,  1837,  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  re- 
port: 

"That  your  delegates  have  been  prevented  from  making  a  report  by 
the    nonarrival    of    the    printed    proceedings   of   the    meeting,    which    wa» 


though  at  work  in  the  same  shop  where  the  two-thirders  abound.  Now. 
a  great  many  printers  from  the  Quaker  City,  and  others  who  countenance 
the  rat  svstem,  go  south  and  west;  and  if  matters  could  be  so  .-irrangert 
that  the  'itinerants  would  be  denied  work  in  your  and  other  section*  un- 
less they  could  produce  their  certificates  of  membership  from  hnral  so- 
cieties, it  would  make  them,  from  necessity,  join  .iss.x-iations  and  hcc.mc 
interested  in  them.  This  might,  with  some  additions  or  amendment!., 
add  strength  to  the  infant  weakness  of  the  organic  state  of  our  uni-n. 
and  prepare  a  clear  path  for  the  progression  of  practical  printers  to  the 
objects  of  their  special  attention.  .  .        j        .   _,^:. 

With  great  respect,  thanks  for  your  attention,  and  a  due  apprecia- 
tion of  Mr.   North's  intentions, 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant. 

L.  A.  CioamcHT, 
Cor.  Sec.  C.  T.  So,-ifly. 

Mr.  Thomas  Palmer,  Raymond,  Miss. 


62  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

left  under  the  control  of  the  New  York  members.  Altho'  we  have  re- 
ceived a  letter  intimating  that  they  would  be  soon  sent  on,  we  still  have 
been  disappointed.  It  is  a  matter  of  regret  to  us,  as  we  find  it  almost 
impossible  to  direct  your  attention  to  the  necessary  acts  which  require 
your  immediate  cooperation;  and  which  alone  can  enable  us  to  discharge 
our  task  satisfactorily  to  ourselves. 

"That  your  delegation  arrived  in  New  York  on  the  second  of  Sep- 
tember, and  were  notified  to  meet  at  the  sheriff's  room,  in  the  city  hall, 
on  the  4th,  which  was  kindly  granted  by  the  public  authorities  of  said 
city.  Eight  societies  being  represented,  viz.,  New  York,  Philadelphia, 
Ilarrisburg,  Baltimore,  Cincinnati,  Mobile,  New  Orleans,  and  Wash- 
ington. The  meeting  was  organized  by  calling  to  the  chair  one  of  this 
society's  delegation,  and  appointing  A.  I.  W.  Jackson,  of  Baltimore, 
as  secretary.  That  their  first  act  was  to  revise  the  constitution,  adopted 
by  the  convention  which  met  at  Washington  in  November,  1836.  That 
after  a  labored  investigation  of  that  instrument,  they  made  some  amend- 
ments, in  order  to  accord  with  the  views  and  instructions  of  the  sev- 
eral members.  That  they  continued  in  session  till  Saturday,  the  9th, 
inclusive,  when,  severally,  having  subscribed  the  new  constitution,  they 
adjourned  sine  die,  to  meet  again  at  Pittsburg,  ne.xt  September,  and 
that  they  were  then  invited,  and  attended  a  public  dinner  given  by  the 
New  York  association,  in  courtesy  to  the  members  of  the  national  asso- 
ciation. 

"Your  delegates,  not  having  the  constitution  to  refer  to,  must,  of 
course,  be  excused  from  entering  into  a  detail  of  the  several  articles; 
but  they  would  remark  that,  in  article  :oth,  twenty-five  per  cent  is  to 
be  levied  of  the  different  societies,  annually,  by  a  prescribed  rule,  to 
defray  all  expenses  incurred  by  the  association;  their  instructions  were 
for  thirty  per  cent. 

"Article  13  furnishes  the  mode  of  checking  the  practice  of  employ- 
ing two-third  apprentices.  This  is  of  initial  importance  to  the  whole 
fraternity,  and  requires  consideration  commensurate  with  its  impor- 
tance; for  all  can  realize  the  complete  prostration  which  such  a  cus- 
tom must  create.  The  proposed  check,  adopted  by  the  association  ap- 
pears as  simple  as  it  is  easy  of  accomplishment,  if  judicious  measures 
alone  be  pursued.  This  plan  is  by  the  granting  to  travelers  the  'union 
card,'  which  was  introduced  into  the  convention's  constitution  at  Wash- 
ington. Many  duties  are  enjoined  on  local  societies,  which  must  be  re- 
ferred by  you  to  committees,  to  mature  and  prescribe  a  mode  of  opera- 
tion  for  carrying  them   into   effect. 

"Your  delegates  are  aware  that  the  society  will  look  for  an  expres- 
sion of  their  opinion  as  to  the  utility  and  future  prospects  of  the  asso- 
ciation, and,  therefore  they  will  present  their  views  in  as  brief  a  man- 
ner as  possible.  From  all  they  could  learn  from  their  intercourse  with 
the  gentlemen  composing  the  assembly,  they  are  of  the  belief  that  no 
other  plan  could  be  adopted  that  would  prove  so  efficacious  and  satis- 
factory to  all  concerned,  and  guard  the  craft  against  the  innovations 
which  are  daily  arising  to  drive  the  regular  and  good  workman  out  of 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


63 


employment,  or  to  reduce  their  wages  to  the  standard  of  the  cupidity  of 
some  employers  who  forget  the  rights  of  their  fellow-men. 

"That  the  anticipated  prospects  of  the  association  may  be  evidenced 
from  th«  interest  taken  in  it  by  all  associations  in  the  United  Sutcs 
and  Nova  Scotia,  whose  delegate  was  admitted  to  a  seat  during  the  dis- 
cussions. It  is  the  opinion  of  your  delegation,  that  the  employer  and 
the  journeymen  were  never  on  such  amicable  terms  of  friendly  feelings 
as  they  are  at  the  moment,  which  certainly  is  ominous  of  our  success  in 
this  great  cause. 

"In  closing  the  imperfect  report  they  have  made,  they  would  con- 
gratulate the  society  on  the  high  respect  in  which  they  are  at  present 
held  by  both  employers  and  journeymen,  as  well  in  Washington,  as 
throughout  the  whole  country;  and  they  sincerely  pray  this  band  of 
union  may  never  be  severed  by  any  untoward  circumstance,  originating 
on  your  part.  They  now  conclude  by  recommending  the  following  reso- 
lution for  adoption: 

"Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  receive  the  printed 
proceedings  of  the  association,  and  to  report  on  their  contents  as  sooA 
as  practicable,  or  on  any  matters  concerning  said  association. 

"(Signed)  "James   Clephane. 

"James    Handlev." 

The  national  society  did  not  hold  a  convention  in  1838.  In  .\ugiist 
of  that  year  the  following  announcement  appeared  in  the  papers  in 
most  of  the  cities  where  printers  were  organized: 

"national  typographical  society. 

"Meeting  postponed. — The  undersigned,  officers  of  the  National 
Typographical  Association,  composing  the  board  of  control,  at  the  ear- 
nest solicitations  of  a  number  of  delegates  and  societies  forming  said 
association,  have,  after  mature  deliberation,  resolved  on  a  postpone- 
ment of  the  next  meeting,  and  hereby  give  this  public  notice  to  the 
different  societies  of  printers  attached  to  said  association,  as  well  as 
those  desirous  of  connecting  themselves  thereto,  that  the  next  meeting 
of  the  National  Typographical  Association  will  be  held  in  the  city  of 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  on  the  first  Monday  of  September.  1839,  at  which  time 
and  place  it  is  fondly  expected  the  representatives  from  the  different 
societies  will  be  in  attendance. 

"A.  I.  W.  Jackson,  Baltimore. 

'■President. 
"Wm.  Wellington,  Philadelphia. 

"Recording  Secretary. 
"Chas.  Albert  Davis,  .V<-«'  Vork, 

"Corresponding  Secretary. 
"James  Clephane,  Hashington. 

"Treasurer. 
"Board  of  Control. 
"August  10,  1838. 
"The    publishers   of   newspapers   throughout    the   United   Slates   will 


6^  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

confer  a  favor  on   the  craft  in   general,   by  giving  the   above  notice  one 
or  two  insertions." 

Whether  this  postponed  convention  ever  met  is  not  known  and  may 
well  be  doubted.  The  general  laws  for.  the  government  of  local  soci- 
eties appear  to  have  been  promulgated  by  the  New  York  convention  of 
1837.  They  were  gotten  out  in  leaflet  form  by  the  Washington  society 
for  its  own  use,  as  follows: 

"Columbia  Typographical  Society. 

"Resolved,  That  the  general  laws  recommended  by  the  National 
Typographical  Society  to  the  local  societies  for  their  government  be 
printed  for  the  use  of  the  members. 

"Test: 

"W.  A.  Kennedy,  Secretary. 

"December  i,  1838. 

"general  laws. 

"Article  i.  Every  apprentice  shall  serve  until  he  be  21  years  of 
age;  and  at  the  time  of  entering  as  an  apprentice  shall  not  be  more 
than  16  years  of  age;  and  every  boy  taken  as  an  apprentice  shall  be 
bound  to  his  employer  in  due  form  of  law. 

"Art.  2.  No  runaway  apprentice  shall  be  received  into  any  office 
in  the  United  States  attached  to  the  national  association,  either  as  an 
apprentice  or  journeyman. 

"Art.  3.  That  on  the  death  of  his  master,  or  if,  from  any  cause,  the 
office  wherein  he  was  indented  shall  be  discontinued,  he  may  be  taken 
into  another  office,  and  be  regularly  indented  to  finish  the  term  of  his 
apprenticeship. 

"Art.  4.  After  the  ist  day  of  January,  1844,  it  shall  not  be  lawful 
for  any  local  society  to  consider  any  application  for  membership  iinac- 
companied  by  sufficient  proof  that  he  had  served  the  period  of  five  years, 
as  a  regularly  indented  apprentice  at  the  printing  business. 

"Art.  s.  That  after  the  ist  day  of  January,  1839,  it  shall  not  be 
lawful  for-  any  local  society  to  permit  members  of  said  society  to  work 
in  any  office  where  boys  may  be  taken  as  apprentices  to  the  printing 
business,  to  serve  for  a  less  period  than  five  years. 

"Art.  6.  The  local  societies  shall  have  the  power  to  establish  such 
tariff  of  prices  as  may  be  suitable  to  the  section  of  country  in  which  they 
may  be  located. 

"Art.  7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  local  societies,  working  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  national  association,  to  sustain  each  other  in 
their  list  of  prices  or  such  other  regulations  as  they  may  adopt  for  their 
government. 

"Art.  8.  That  all  local  societies  suspend  so  much  of  their  constitu- 
tions as  requires  a  term  of  apprenticeship  as  a  qualification  for  mem- 
bership;   and   that   they   admit  all   who  are  at  work   at  the   business   as 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


65 


journeymen  so  soon  as  it  shall  be  ascertained  that  the  proposed  refla- 
tions of  the  association  upon  this  subject  shall  be  adopted  by  two-thirds 
of  the  societies. 

"Art.  9.  Any  person  presenting  his  union  card  from  one  society, 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  national  association,  to  another  society  un- 
der the  same  jurisdiction,  and  paying  the  monthly  dues  called  for  by 
their  constitution,  shall  be  entitled  to  the  trade  benefits  of  said  society. 

"Art.  10.  Local  societies  shall  recognize  but  two  classes  of  printers 
— employers  and  journeymen — that  is,  persons  who  carry  on  business 
solely  as  employers  and  those  who  work  as  journeymen,  in  the  manner 
prescribed,  and  at  the  prices  demanded  by  such  society. 

"Art.  II.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  local  societies  to  have  prepared  an 
annual  report  of  their  condition,  showing  the  number  of  members  ad- 
mitted for  the  j'ear  preceding;  the  amount  of  receipts  from  initiation, 
dues,  and  fines;  the  number  of  newspapers  and  periodical  publications, 
together  with  all  offices  of  whatever  character,  under  the  immediate  con- 
trol of  practical  printers,  at  the  time  of  making  such  reports;  also, 
those  under  the  control  of  others  than  printers,  and  such  other  informa- 
tion as  may  be  in  possession  of  said  local  societies,  in  reference  to  the 
profession  generally;  said  report  to  be  transmitted  to  the  national  asso- 
ciation at  its  annual  meetings. 

"Art.  12.  That  the  societies  be  requested  to  forward  to  the  national 
association,  annually,  the  number,  as  near  as  may  be  ascertained,  of  ap- 
prentices in  the  district  of  country  over  which  the  society  has  jurisdic- 
tion; also,  of  all  the  journeymen — distinguishing  members  of  the  so- 
ciety from  others. 

"Art.  13.  That  men  pronounced  rats  by  one  society,  shall  be  con- 
sidered such  by  all  others,  until  reinstated  by  said  society. 

"Art.  14.  A  local  society,  on  the  suspension  or  expulsion  of  a  mem- 
ber, shall  give  information  to  all  other  societies  as  soon  as  practicable, 
and  make  annual  report  to  the  national  association. 

"Art.  15.  That  it  be  made  obligatory  on  the  members  of  the  respec- 
tive societies  to  solicit  all  printers  in  good  standing  to  join  some  local 
society. 

"Art.  16.  That  every  society  which  may  henceforth  be  established, 
transmit  the  title,  list  of  officers,  and  its  locality,  to  the  corresponding 
secretary  of  the  National  Typographical  Association. 

"Art.  17.  The  above  regulations,  when  adopted  by  two-thirds  of  the 
local  societies,  shall  become  binding  upon  the  whole,  as  general  laws. 
for  the  government  of  the  craft." 

To  return  now  to  affairs  of  the  local  societies,  the  Philadelphia 
Typographical  Association  sent  out  a  letter  dated  June  16,  1834,  on  the 
state  of  trade,  saying:  "For  several  months  the  book  offices  have  not  had 
work  enough  to  employ  even  their  apprentices,  and  when  we  may  safely 
anticipate  a  favorable  change  we  are  unable  to  say  as  we  are  anxious  to 
hear."  July  11,  1835,  the  same  association  wrote  that  it  was  ha' ing 
trouble  as  a  result  of  "having  taken  measures  to  effect  an  advance  in 
the  price  of  our   labor;"   that   the   employers   were  advertising   in   other 


66  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

cities,  and  asked  the  Washington  society  to  "prevent  that  influx  of  stran- 
gers upon  which  the  employers  (a)  rely  in  connection  with  the  defec- 
tion, which,  in  a  small  degree,  we  are  sorry  to  say,  they  have  effected 
for  defeating  the  purposes  of  this  association."  Later,  August  30,  1835, 
the  association  sent  out  a  circular  saying  the  trouble  was  over,  (b) 


a  It  may  be  of  interest  to  note  that  an  employing  printers'  associa- 
tion was  formed  just  before  this  in  Philadelphia,  it  being  organized 
February  7,  1835.  A  scale  of  prices  for  composition  and  presswork,  by 
which  all  contracts  for  such  work  were  made,  was  adopted  and  made  a 
part  of  the  constitution.  Members  violating  the  contract  scale  were 
subject  to  fine  or  expulsion.  Evidently  the  "Printers'  Company  of  1794 
had  ceased  to  exist. 

b  The  steam  press  was  beginning  to  alarm  the  pressmen,  and  curi- 
ously enough  they  proposed  at  first  to  meet  it  just  as,  in  after  years,  the 
glass  workers'  unions  and  the  coal  miners'  unions  proposed  to  meet  the 
machine,  i.  e.,  by  reducing  their  wages  for  hand  work  to  a  point  where 
it  would  not  pay  the  employers  to  install  steam  presses,  except  that  the 
pressmen  proposed  to  do  it  by  exactly  the  methods  they  opposed  when 
applied  by  the  employers  to  typesetting — by  the  introduction  of  boys 
into  the  business  throuijh  a  subdivision  of  labor.  A  resolution  was 
passed  by  the  Washington  society  with  this  in  view  October  14,  1835,  as 
follows: 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  ex- 
pediency of  making  such  alterations  in  the  price  of  presswork  and  the 
introduction  of  rollers  and  roller  boys  as  will  enable  employers  to  have 
their  work  done  as  cheap,  better,  and  with  greater  certainty  by  hand 
than  by  the  use  of  steam  or  power  presses,  while  at  the  same  time  press- 
men will  be  able  to  make  as  good  wages,  if  not  better  than  under  the 
present  system. 

As  showing  the  attitude  of  the  early  printers  toward  machinery  the 
two  following  remarkable  letters  are  taken  from  the  minutes  of  the 
Washington  society:' 

[Copy  of  a  letter  laid  before  the  society  by  a  member.] 

Warrenton,  Va.,  October  6,  1840. 

Dear  Sir — Through  you  I  would  respectfully  inform  the  typograph- 
ical society  of  Washington  that  I  have  invented  and  made  a  machine  for 
setting  and  distributing  type;  which  machine  is  now  in  complete  opera- 
tion in  this  place,  and  will,  according  to  the  estimate  of  practical  print- 
ers, do  the  work  of  four  men;  the  cost  not  to  exceed  $20.  Being  poor 
myself,  my  object  is  to  realize  something  like  a  compensation  for  my 
time,  labor  and  ingenuity;  and  being  aware  that  it  may  perhaps  conflict 
with  the  interest  of  your  society,  I  have  concluded  to  propose  to  sell 
them  the  exclusive  right  for  the  District  of  Columbia.  To  effect  tliis 
object,  I  propose  that  your  society  deputize  some  one  to  decide  upon  the 
merits  of  the  same;  pledging  myself  to  let  them  have  it,  as  a  body,  for 
less  than   I  can  get  from  an  individual  proprietor. 

Let  me  hear  from  you  early,  or  by  the  society.      Respectfully, 

I.   D.    IIlLL. 


[Reply.] 

\\'asiiington,  November   18,   1840. 
Mr.  I.  n.  Hill: 

Sir — In  compliance  with  a  resolution  of  Columbia  Typographical  So- 
ciety. I  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  apprising  it  of  your  in- 
vention and  your  desire  to  dispose  of  it  to  said  society.     And,  I   am  also 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


67 


August  6,  1836,  the  Nashville  (Tenn.)  Typographical  Society  sent 
out  its  revised  constitution  and  price  list,  both  of  which  will  be  found 
in  full  in  the  appendix.  It  will  be  noticed  that  this  society  binds  itself 
by  its  constitution  (art.  14)  to  "co-operate  with  the  National  Typograph- 
ical Society"  and  to  be  represented  in  its  convention.  This  society  had 
thirty-five  members  in  1836,  and  the  "chapel"  system  was  firmly  estab- 
lished in  all  offices. 

During  1836  a  letter  was  received  from  the  Typographical  Society 
at  Columbia,  S.  C.  The  letter,  however,  does  not  make  clear  whether 
the  society  had  just  been  organized  or  not.  This  society  sent  out  a  "rat 
list"  in  1842,  and  seems  to  have  gone  down  in  a  strike  of  that  year. 

December  3,  1836,  the  Washington  society,  "owing  to  the  advance 
in  the  price  of  products  generally"  (by  which  is  meant  the  cost  of  liv- 
ing) (a)  asked  for  "an  advance  of  about  10  per  cent  on  our  present 
tariff  prices  for  the  employing  printers  of  the  District;"  and  appointed 
a  committee  to  revise  the  scale  and  call  on  the  employers.  January  7, 
1837,  the  committee  reported  that  the  employers  had  agreed  to  the  new 
scale,  and  it  was  ordered  printed.  (See  Appendix  B,  No.  6.)  It  is  im- 
possible to  ignore  the  evidence  of  the  slowness  of  the  world's  affairs  in 
those  days  when  we  reflect  that  this  was  the  first  change  in  price  list 
adopted  by  the  society  since  the  original  one  of  1815,  and  that  was  but 
a  schedule  of  prices  already  paid  and  had  been  in  existence  for  several 
years.  Wage  scales  that  last  twenty-two  years  without  alteration  will 
not  be  numerous  in  this  century. 

February  4,  1837,  the  Typographical  Society  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  sent 
out  a  circular,  which,  like  the  one  from  Columbia,  S.  C,  does  not  state 
clearly  when  the  society  was  formed. 

In  1838  the  St.  Louis  (Mo.)  Typographical  Association  sent  out  a 
protest  against  a  perpetual  "ratting"  of  printers  who  had  conducted 
themselves   honorably   in    other  cities.      The  occasion   of   this   was  that   a 

instructed  to  say,  that,  while  they  wish  you  success  in  your  undertak- 
ing, they  do  not  feel  themselves  justified  in  offering  you  any  pecuniary 
aid;  nor  do  they  feel  willing  to  abet  in  bringing  into  operation  anything 
that  would  encroach  upon  the  rights  of  those  who  have  given  years  of 
labor  and  privation  to  acquire  a  knowledge  of  a  business  which  they  had 
reason  to  believe  would  yield  them  a  support  in  after  life.  You  propose 
to  distribute  and  set  type  by  machinery!  Shade  of  the  immortal  Faust. 
thou  art  forever  eclipsed.  Rut  should  your  invention  prove  beneficial 
to  the  craft,  we  will  hail  you  as  a  benefactor.  Your  profc-ssums  of  re- 
gard for  this  society,  and  the  craft  at  large,  are  duly  appreciated. 
Yours  respectfully,  in  behalf  of  Col.  Typo.  So., 

David  H.    Hanlow. 
Corresponding  Secretary. 

a  As  indicative  of  the  cost  of  living,  the  prices  quoted  from  the 
central  market  at  Washington,  D.  C,  September  18,  1837.  arc  here  re- 
produced: "Beef,  from  6!4  to  izVi  cents  per  pound;  corned  l>ccf.  8 
cents;  veal,  6J4  to  10  cents;  pork,  12  cents;  mutton.  fiVi  to  10  cents  per 
pound;  lamb,  50  to  75  cents  per  quarter;  ham,  14  cents  per  pound;  but- 
ter 20  to  2S  cents;  butter,  print,  31^  to  iyVi  cents;  lard.  \2V,  cents 
per  pound;  chickens,  $2  to  $3  per  dozen;  eggs,  15  cents;  corn  (green). 
12H  cents  per  dozen;  potatoes,  50  cents  per  bushel;  sweet  potatoes,  J7y4 
cents  per  peck;  corn  meal,  %i.i zYi  per  bushel;  rye  meal,  80  cent*  per 
bushel." 


68  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

printer  who  had  worked  in  the  Duff  Green  plant  in  Washington,  D.  C, 
in  1836  or  1837,  went  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  obtained  a  situation,  when 
it  was  discovered  he  was  on  the  rat  list  sent  out  from  Washington. 
The  St.  Louis  society  testified  that  the  man  had  "conducted  himself  hon- 
orably" in  St.  Louis,  and  wanted  to  know  how  long  the  rat  list  was  ex- 
pected to  last.  The  Washington  society  in  reply  granted  its  permission 
to  the  St.  Louis  association  to  accept  this  man  as  a  member,  and  annulled 
its  rat  list  of  1836. 

May  4,  1839,  the  Washington  society  adopted  the  "chapel  system." 
From  Louisville,  Ky.,  came  a  letter  stating  that  the  Louisville  Typo- 
graphical Association  was  formed  April  i,  1839.  "There  having  been 
heretofore  two  societies  in  this  city,  which  now  exist  no  more,  we  have 
organized  upon  entirely  different  lines."  During  the  year  several  so- 
cieties were  heard  from  for  the  first  time,  some  only  recently  organized, 
while  others  appear  to  have  been  in  existence  for  some  time.  Vicksburg, 
Miss.,  for  instance,  sent  out  a  "rat  list"  and  asked  for  an  exchange  of 
same;  Columbus,  Ohio,  was  first  heard  of  July  6,  1839,  the  letter  not  be- 
ing preserved  in  the  minutes.  Detroit,  Mich.,  sent  out  a  strike  notice 
stating  that  the  association  had  been  compelled  to  strike  for  wages  due 
and  unpaid.  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  reported  that  an  organization  had  just 
been  effected;  as  did  Frankfort,  Ky.,  and  Tallahassee,  Fla.  The  letter 
of  the  latter  organization,  with  the  reply  of  the  Washington  society  to 
that  of  Frankfort,  Ky.,  are  of  sufficient  importance  to  reproduce  here  in 
full;  as  is  also  a  letter  of  the  Washington  society  to  the  Boston  Typo- 
graphical Society,  which  was  organized  in   1838.(0) 

o  Below  is  a  copy  of  the  letter  received  from  the  Tallahassee  (Fla.) 
association,  giving  rates  of  wages  and  cost  of  living  at  that  time: 

Tallahassee,  November  30,  1839. 
Gentlemen — The  journeymen  printers  of  Tallahassee  have  formed 
themselves  into  an  association  for  the  purpose  of  regulating  prices,  as 
well  as  for  their  general  benefit.  They  have  also  instructed  me  to  ad- 
dress you,  in  behalf  of  the  association,  to  beg  that  you  will  warn  those 
who  feel  desirous  of  coming  to  this  place,  against  the  propriety  of  do- 
ing so  under  an  engagement  for  less  than  the  prices  we  have  adopted, 
which  are  $18  per  week — that  they  will  have  to  pay  here,  for  board, 
from  $6  to  $10  per  week;  clothing  and  other  expenses  double,  and  often- 
times treble  to  that  of  the  northern  prices,  and  all  other  things  in  pro- 
portion. 

In    craving   the   endeavors   of   your   excellent   association   in   our   be- 
half, I  am,  sir,  in  the  name  of  the  Florida  Typographical  Association, 
Most  respectfully,  your  obt.  ser't., 

S.  L  NowLiN,  Sec'y. 
To  THE  President  and  Members 

OF  THE  Wash.  Typo.  Society. 


The  following  is  in  reply  to  a  letter  from  Frankfort,  Ky.: 

Washington,  October  6,  1839. 

Dear    Sir — Mr.    Jefferson    laid    your   circular    and    letter   before    the 

Columbia    Typographical    Society    last    evening;    and    our    members    were 

much   gratified  on  being  informed  of  a  new  auxiliary  in  the  "profession 

of  letters."     We  look  to  your  section  of  country  with  as  much  solicitude 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    I'RINTKRS 


69 


The  most  important  event  of  this  year   (1839),  however,  in  view  of 
the  continued   apprenticeship   troubles,    was   the    action    of   the    New   Or- 


as  we  do  to  the  north  for  the  advancements  of  our  interests;  and  are 
pleased  to  perceive  in  each  a  proper  attention  evinced  to  the  subject.  A 
new  society  was  formed  in  Boston  about  a  year  ago  and  it  now  numbers 
seventy  members.  The  old  one  was  composed  of  a  few  journeymen  and 
of  master  workmen,  "who  now  control  its  operations,  thereby  destroy- 
ing the  purposes  for  which  it  was  established."  The  Hoston  circular 
remarks  that  the  journeymen  are  "now  prepared  to  assert  their  rights, 
which  they  have  too  long  neglected."  This  may  be  called  "a  in 
the  east."  Since  that  period  three  other  societies  have  been  established, 
of  which  yours  is  one. 

While  we  are  receiving  such  pleasing  intelligence,  we  indulge  the 
hope  that  the  recommendations  of  the  national  society  have  been  re- 
garded in  framing  the  local  constitutions.  Among  those  the  regulation 
of  apprentices  is  prominent:  Every  boy  to  serve  for  five  years,  to  be 
bound  to  his  employer  in  due  form  of  law,  and  to  serve  until  21  years 
of  age.  The  employers  of  Washington  have  sanctioned  it,  and  those 
elsewhere  will,  also,  if  they  be  made  to  understand  how  important  it 
will  be  to  their  interests  and  to  ours. 

In  behalf  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society,  wishing  you  suc- 
cess and  everything  which  may  advance  your  prosperity,  I  am,  gentle- 
men,  yours  respectfully, 

I.   A.   GOBRICHT, 

Cor.  Sec.  C.  T.  Society. 
Messrs.  Wm.  Blanchard  and  J.  R.  Watson, 

Frankfort,  Ky. 


The  following  is  in  reply  to  a  circular  sent  out  by  the  Boston  so- 
ciety as  reorganized  in  1838: 

Washington,  October  6,  1839. 
To  the  Members  of  the  Boston  Typographical  Society: 

Gentlemen — The  circular  from  your  association  was  read  to  our  so- 
ciety last  evening.  The  members  were  particularly  pleased  with  its 
spirit,  as  much  from  the  fact  of  a  new  ally  to  our  cause  as  from  the  ex- 
pression that  a  "portion  of  the  journeymen,  animated  by  the  noble  ex- 
ample set  them  by  their  brethren  of  the  south,  have  at  last  awoke  from 
their  supineness,  and  are  now  prepared  to  assert  and  maintain  their  just 
rights,  which  they  too  long  have  neglected."  It  is  from  the  north  that 
we  have  most  to  fear — it  is  in  that  section  of  country  so  many  innova- 
tions are  made  upon  the  profession;  and  it  is  there  where  journeymen 
— many  of  them — have  remained  passive  to  the  employer's  injustice. 
But,  happily,  in  this  age  of  reform,  the  "printer's  trade"  partakes  of  its- 
influence,  and  every  day  develops  some  improvement  in  his  condition. 
Typographical  societies  are  increasing  everywhere,  and  all  seem  ani- 
mated by  the  same  principle  of  action. 

The  employers  of  this  city  have  acquiesced  in  our  proposition  (sug- 
gested by  the  national  society)  that  every  apprentice  shall  be  bound  to 
his  employer  in  due  form  of  law — to  serve  five  years — till  21.  In  a  few 
vears,  if  this  rule  be  generally  adopted  and  adhered  to,  the  important 
benefits  resulting  from  it  will  be  manifest.  This  is  the  great  object  to 
which  we  should  direct  our  attention,  as  it  will  eventually  extirpate  rats. 
two-thirders,  and  runaway  apprentices;  and  then  we  shall  "sec  the  day 
when  the  craft,  and  every  member  of  it,  shall  be  respected,  as  we  are 
convinced   they  possess  the  ability"  to  eflfcct  the  reformation. 

In  behalf  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society,  wishing  you  every 
success,  and  hoping,  with  you,  "that  a  good  feeling  may  pervade  the 
journeymen  printers  of  the  union,"  I  subscribe  myself. 

Respectfully  yours,  J-  A.  GoBmciir, 

Cor.  Sec.  Col.  T.  S. 


70 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


leans  Typographical  Association.  September  i,  1838,  this  organization 
sent  out  a  circular  letter  notifying  all  societies  that  it  was  on  strike 
against  one  office  in  the  city,  that  of  David  Felt  &  Co.  August  3,  1839, 
it  sent  out  a  "rat  circular,"  doubtless  growing  out  of  the  same  difficulty. 
In  its  constitution  as  revised  September  14,  1839  (see  Appendix  A,  No.  7, 
where  this  is  reproduced  in  full),  this  association  prohibits  (art.  12)  any 
member  from  working  "on  any  English  daily  morning  paper,  on  which 
any  apprentices  may  be  employed."  This  is  a  far  more  radical  solution 
than  has  been  attempted  by  any  typographical  union  of  today,  except 
that  of  New  York  city,  where  apprenticeship  is  abolished  in  daily  news- 
paper offices  by  agreement,  and  in  Philadelphia,  where  the  union  consti- 
tution prohibits  them.  January  8,  1840,  the  Boston  association  sent  let- 
ters asking  for  wage  scale  and  stating  it  was  making  a  list  of  wages 
paid  in  all  cities.  Jackson  (Miss.)  Typographical  Association  was  organ- 
ized in  1840.  The  collapse  of  the  National  Society  disheartened  the  lo- 
cal societies  and  gave  the  "benefit"  faction,  or  the  "alimoners,"  as  they 
were  called,  the  floor  and  the  argument  for  a  year  or  two. 

April  4,  1840,  the  Mobile  (.\la.)  association,  and  June  6  of  the 
same  year  the  New  York  association,  each  sent  out  "rat  circulars"  as  a 
result  of  strikes  in  which  both  organizations  seem  to  have  gotten  their 
death  blow.  Nowhere,  outside  of  New  Orleans,  was  the  apprentice 
trouble  settled  or  even  mollified,  and  even  there  it  was  controlled  only 
in  the  morning  newspaper  offices.  The  Washington  society  was  permit- 
ting special  exceptions  to  its  apprentice  regulations;  and  in  Philadelphia, 
society  members  were  working  with  boys  and  "two-thirders"  until  it  was 
said  there  were  just  journeymen  enough  in  an  office  to  tell  the  appren- 
tices what  to  do.  The  whole  subject  was  chaotic.  In  January,  1842,  the 
Wasfiington  society  appointed  a  committee  to  go  over  the  entire  matter. 
The  "alimoners"  had  a  majority  of  the  committee  and  were  for  the  repeal 
of  all  laws  attempting  to  regulate  trade  affairs  of  this  kind.  The  mi- 
nority report  was  for  strict  enforcement.  Taken  together,  these  reports 
form  the  most  important  document  of  this  period  on  the  subject.  Not 
only  do  we  get  here  an  inside  view  of  the  workings  of  the  two  factions 
in  the  societies  of  the  early  printers,  but  we  get  a  view  of  the  situation 
as  seen  by  those  most  interested.  For  that  reason  the  report,  notwith- 
standing its  length,  is  given  below: 

"The  committee  appointed  upon  the  apprentice  regulations  at  the 
last  stated  meeting  submitted  the  two  following  reports,  which  were  re- 
ceived : 

"The  committee  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society,  to  whom 
the  following  resolution  was  referred,  viz.:  'Resolved,  That  this  society 
appoint  a  committee  to  inquire  into  and  report  upon,  the  expediency  of 
either  modifying,  repealing  or  more  rigidly  enforcing  the  apprentice 
regulations  of  the  said  society' — ask  permission  of  the  society  respect- 
fully to  present  their  views  in  the  following  report: 

"That  your  committee,  in  accordance  with  the  above  resolution,  have 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OK    I'RINTKRS  71 

duly  considered  the  matter  referred  to  them,  and  given  to  it  that  atten- 
tion which  the  importance  of  the  subject  demands.  That  your  committee 
consider  the  above-named  regulations  were  recommended  by  the  general 
convention  of  printers,  with  the  intention,  (in  connection  with  other 
measures,)  to  unite  the  societies  of  the  difTerent  cities  for  the  advance- 
ment of  the  interests  of  the  craft;  and  could  only  be  beneficial  by  gen- 
eral adoption.  That  such  has  not  been  the  case  is  evident  to  everyone, 
for  they  have  only  been  carried  out  by  one  society  besides  this.  That, 
as  said  project  of  union  has  totally  failed  of  success,  this  society  is  un- 
der no  obligations  to  other  societies  to  enforce  said  regulatii)ns.  That 
this  society,  itself,  having  violated  the  regulations  in  the  case  of  the 
boy  (Bailey)  taken  into  the  office  of  Mr.  Allen,  and  failed  to  enforce 
them  in  numerous  other  instances  where  they  have  been  openly  violated, 
can  not  now,  with  any  hope  of  success,  resolve  to  enforce  them.  Can 
this  society  demand  of  employers  an  adherence  to  regulations  that  the 
society  was  the  first  to  violate?  These  regulations,  by  mutual  agreement 
between  them,  were  equally  binding  upon  this  society  and  employers; 
but,  by  your  own  act,  ii^  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  you  have  ab- 
solved the  employers  from  all  obligation  to  adhere  to  them.  When  vio- 
lations of  said  regulations  have  occurred,  and  been  reported  to  this 
society,  you  have,  more  than  once,  appointed  committees  to  confer  with 
the  employers  on  the  subject,  but  without  any  satisfactory  result.  Some 
have  promised  to  comply  with  the  wishes  of  the  society;  others  have 
treated  you  with  contemptuous  silence,  and  all  have  continued  to  vio- 
late the  apprentice  regulations,  as  long  as  it  was  their  interest  to  do  so. 
That,  in  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  the  aforesaid  regulations  oi)erate 
in  favor  of  the  employer,  and  against  the  interests  of  the  journeymen: 
the  long  term  of  apprenticeship  and  the  legal  power  given  to  the  master 
to  make  the  apprentice  serve  the  full  term  of  five  years,  certainly  offers 
greater  inducements  to  employers  to  take  apprentices,  and  bring  them  in 
competition  with  journeymen,  than  the  old  system,  under  which — the 
term  of  apprenticeship  depending  altogether  on  the  will  of  the  boy,  the 
master  possessing  no  legal  power  to  detain  him — there  was  less  induce- 
ment to  bring  apprentices  in  competition  with  journeymen.  In  a  word, 
the  regulations,  as  they  now  stand,  are  a  dead  letter,  and  as  long  as 
they  remain  in,  and  are  acknowledged  by,  this  society,  as  a  part  of  its 
constitution,  without,  at  the  same  time,  enforcing  them,  they  are  a  dis- 
grace and  reproach  to  us.  That,  in  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  it  is 
inexpedient  to  modify  or  enforce  said  regulations.  That,  in  the  opinion 
of  your  committee,  if  this  society,  in  its  wisdom,  should  sec  fit  to  repeal 
the  said  regulations,  it  will  settle  all  differences  now  existing  between 
this  society  and  employers  in  relation  to  apprentices,  prevent  future  col- 
lisions of  the  same  nature;  still  the  murmurs  and  dissatisfaction  of  a 
large  and  respectable  minority  of  this  society;  and  give  peace  and  good 
feelings  where  we  have  long  had  agitation  and  angry  contention. 

"In  conclusion,  your  committee  would  respectfully  recommend  the 
following  resolution  for  adoption,  and  ask  to  be  discharged  from  the 
further    consideration    of    the    subject:     'Rcsohed.    That    the    apprentice 


n 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


regulations    of    the    Columbia    Typographical    Society    be,    and    they    are 

hereby,  repealed.' 

"c.  w.  c.  dunnington, 
"John  T.  C.  Clark, 

Committee. 

"A  minority  of  the  committee  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  So- 
ciety, to  whom  was  referred  the  subject  of  a  repeal  or  modification  of 
the  apprentice  regulations  of  said  society,  respectfully  begs  leave  to  re- 
port: 

"That  he  has  given  the  matter  his  most  serious  attention  and 
weighed  all  the  arguments  that  presented  thernselves  to  his  mind;  for 
and  against  these  regulations,  in  the  calm  balance  of  reflection.  For 
the  repeal  of  the  regulations,  there  appear  to  exist  the  following  reasons: 
First,  because  the  regulations  were  framed  to  meet  a  general  law  on  the 
subject,  to  be  in  force  in  all  cities  throughout  the  Union,  whereas  said 
general  law  has  only  been  complied  with  in  one  city  besides  this.  Sec- 
ond, because  the  regulations  were  not  made  in  accordance  with  long- 
established  usage,  either  in  this  or  in  any  other  age  and  country,  but 
were  merely  got  up  as  an  experiment,  which  experiment  has  failed  to 
stand  the  test  of  five  years'  successful  application.  Third,  because  this 
society  has  itself  specially  authorized  an  infraction  of  the  regulations  in 
one  instance  and  not  promptly  condemned  their  infraction  in  other  in- 
stances. Fourth,  because  a  very  respectable  minority  in  this  society,  in 
number  and  character,  have  always  regarded  the  regulations  as  irregu- 
lar, and  not  within  the  purview  of  the  society's  original  jurisdiction — a 
minority  which  has  sufficiently  increased  of  late  to  call  for  some  con- 
cession, or  else  the  most  convincing  arguments,  from  the  majority. 

"These  reasons  appear  to  be  of  such  weight  as  to  entitle  them  to 
great  consideration.  The  closing  part  of  the  last  season  might  seem  to 
many  particularly  cogent  as  regards  the  mere  expediency  of  repeal,  from 
the  fact  that  the  regulations  of  a  society  of  operatives  can  scarcely  ever 
be  beneficial  or  effective,  unless  approved  by  two-thirds  of  those  who  are 
to  carry  them  into  effect.  The  undersigned  has  been  mindful  of  the 
strength  of  the  reasons  in  favor  of  repeal,  and  also  of  the  deduction 
which  may  be  naturally  drawn  from  the  closing  portion  of  the  last;  but 
he  has  deemed  it  due  to  the  investigation  in  which  he  is  engaged,  to 
turn  to  the  other  side,  and  see  what  reasons  may  be  offered  for  the  re- 
tention and  maintenance  of  these  regulations.  They  may  be  stated  as 
follows:  First,  the  regulations  prevent  a  too  rapid  multiplication  of 
journeymen,  by  withdrawing  from  parents  and  guardians  the  induce- 
ment of  putting  boys  to  the  business  as  a  temporary  stay  or  relief,  who, 
having  served  a  couple  of  years,  are  turned  out  to  compete  with  journey- 
men of  more  mature  experience.  Second,  they  improve  the  quality  of 
such  apprentices  as  do  serve,  by  affording  them  ample  time  to  learn  their 
business,  a  complete  knowledge  of  which  always  stimulates  them,  in 
every  situation  in  life,  to  a  regard  for  the  honor  of  the  craft.  Third, 
masters   will   readily  start   the   printing  business   with   apprentices   only, 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


73 


when  they  can  transfer  or  abandon  such  apprentices  at  will.  Fourth, 
boys  who  are  initiated  into  the  business  from  temporary  expediency,  be- 
sides excluding  journeymen  to  a  certain  extent,  while  serving  their  ap- 
prenticeship, frequently  return,  on  the  failure  of  other  business,  at  a 
time  when  those  who  have  made  it  the  business  of  their  lives  can 
scarcely  procure  employment  at  it — thereby  increasing  the  general  dis- 
tress among  the  craft.  Fifth,  this  society,  from  its  foundation  up  to  a 
very  short  period  before  the  adoption  of  these  regulations,  showed  its 
partiality  for  long  apprenticeships  by  requiring  four  years  of  such  serv- 
ice to  be  one  of  the  constituent  qualifications  of  membership.  Sixth, 
the  small  number  of  apprentices  now,  in  this  city,  compared  with  what 
there  were  when  these  regulations  were  established,  affords  the  most 
irrefragable  evidence  of  the  efficacy  and  good  result  of  the  regulations. 

"The  undersigned,  after  such  a  hesitancy  as  is  involved  in  the  fore- 
going citation  of  the  merits  of  the  case,  has  concluded  to,  and  does, 
recommend  an  adherence  to  the  apprentice  regulations.  He  believe* 
they  have  been  productive  of  much  good  to  the  master,  the  journeyman, 
and  the  apprentice:  to  the  master,  by  increasing  his  net  profit  on  the 
apprentice's  labor;  to  the  journeyman,  by  limiting  the  number  of  his 
competitors;  to  the  apprentice,  by  affording  him  a  competent  experience; 
and  to  all,  through  an  amenity  and  congeniality  of  sentiment  engen- 
dered by  the  system.  He  thinks  that  their  repeal  would  be  but  an  enter- 
ing wedge  to  split  and  divide  our  society  on  all  the  regulations  which 
it  has  established  for  the  general  welfare.  He  also  believes  there  is  no 
middle  ground.  Modification  would  only  multiply  the  attacks  of  those 
interested  in  repeal,  as  well  as  the  enemies  of  the  society.  Special  in- 
stances may  occur  where  an  exception  to  the  regulations  will  be  neces- 
sary— such  as  where  the  family  to  which  an  apprentice  belongs  is  remov- 
ing from  one  section  of  country  to  another;  but  in  such  special  instances 
the  undersigned  apprehends  a  vote  of  two-thirds  can  readily  be  obtained 
to  authorize  such  exception. 

"In  conclusion,  the  undersigned  asks  that  the  committee  be  dis- 
charged from  the  further  consideration  of  the  subject. 

"(Signed)  "F-  J"""*"*- 

"Mr.  Delano  offered  the  following  resolution:  'Resolved,  That  the 
apprentice  regulations  be  enforced  forthwith."  For  which  Mr.  Drew 
offered  the  following  as  a  substitute:  •Resoked,  That  a  committee  of 
vigilance  be  appointed,  to  consist  of  one  member  of  this  society  in  each 
office,  in  the  city,  to  supervise  the  admission  of  apprentices  into  the  re- 
spective offices  in  which  the  members  of  the  committee  may  be  engaRcd; 
and  that,  on  the  admission  of  a  new  apprentice  into  an  office,  the  com 
mittee  be  required  to  wait  upon  the  employer,  on  the  authority  of  the 
society,  and  inquire  whether  such  apprentice  has  been  taken  in  accord- 
ance with  the  regulations  of  this  society,  and  to  report  the  same  to  the 
society;  and  that  said  committee  also  be  authorized  to  pursue  a  like 
course  with  regard  to  those  apprentices  who  are  now  working  in  offices 
contrary  to  the  rules  of  the  society.'  " 


y^  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

Nothing,  however,  came  of  it  at  this  time.  By  resolution  the  so- 
ciety had  appointed  a  committee  November  6,  1841,  to  make  a  list  of 
all  the  "journeymen  now  employed  in  the  several  offices  of  this  city 
designating  the  number  that  are  members  of  this  society,  the  number 
that  have  been,  but  from  any  cause  have  ceased  to  be  members;  and  the 
number  that  have  never  been  attached  to  the  society." 

April  2,  1842,  a  resolution  to  prohibit  members  from  working  with 
non-members  after  January  i,  1843,  was  introduced,  this  being  the  first 
attempt  in  Washington  to  discriminate  against  merely  non-union  men  as 
distinguished,  of  course,  from  "rats,"  or  men  working  under  the  scale. 
The  argument  of  the  resolution  is  identical  with  that  used  by  unions 
against  the  non-union  man  today: 

"Whereas,  Experience  has  clearly  demonstrated  that  it  has  been 
only  by  the  formation  and  continuance  of  the  Col.  Typ.  So.  that  the 
craft  have  been  enabled  to  attain  their  present  prosperous  condition,  in 
a  moral  and  pecuniary  point  of  view,  in  this  city;  and 

"Whereas,  A  crisis  has  arrived  in  the  affairs  of  the  profession, 
which  calls  for  a  rally  of  all  members  of  the  craft  in  support  of  the 
constitution  and  regulations  of  the  society;  and  believing  that  all  who 
work  at  the  business  in  this  city  are  benefited  by  the  existence  of  said 
society,  and  bound,  both  by  honor  and  interest,  to  contribute  to  its  sup- 
port.    Therefore, 

.  "i.  Resolved,  That  every  person  working  at  the  business  will  be  re- 
quired to  make  application  to  join  this  society  within  one  month  from 
the  time  of  his  commencing  work  at  any  office  in  this  city,  at  a  regular 
stated  meeting  of  the  society. 

"2.  Resolved,  That  on  the  refusal  or  neglect  of  any  to  comply  with 
the  regulation  contained  in  the  foregoing  resolution,  or  in  case  of  the 
rejection  of  such  applicant,  the  members  of  this  society  shall  cease  to 
work  in  any  office  where  such  person  may  be  employed. 

"3.  Resolved,  That  the  foregoing  resolution  go  into  effect,  as  an 
amendment  to  the  constitution,  on  the  ist  day  of  January,  1843." 

As  a  similar  resolution  was  introduced  in  1847,  this,  if  passed  (the 
minutes  do  not  show  whether  it  was  or  not),  does  not  appear  to  have 
been  very  effective,  but  is  none  the  less  indicative  of  the  sentiment  of 
the  time. 

In  New  York  city  early  in  1844  the  Franklin  Typographical  Asso- 
ciation had  been  founded  for  the  purpose  of  securing  an  advance  in 
wages.  The  scale,  which  was  28  cents  per  1,000  ems  and  $11  a  week, 
was  agreed  upon  at  a  meeting  held  April  13,  1844,  to  take  effect  April 
15.  At  a  meeting  held  on  the  latter  date  the  following  resolutions  were 
passed: 

"Whereas,  The  Franklin  Typographical  Association  have  designated 
the  15th  day  of  April,  1844,  as  the  time  for  the  revised  scale  of  prices 
to  go  into  operation;  and 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 

"Whereas,  It  is  necessary  for  the  association,  to  protect  those  who 
may  be  thrown  out  of  employment  in  consequence  thereof,  Therefore, 

"Resolved,  That  all  persons  who  may  be  thrown  out  of  employment 
in  consequence  of  demanding  the  advance  designated  in  the  scale,  be 
requested  to  report  themselves  to  the  board  of  management  at  Stoneal's 
Hotel,  Fulton  street,  on  Monday,  April  15,  1844,  between  the  hours  of 
10  a.  m.  and  10  p.  m.  to  receive  such  information,  instructions  and  as- 
sistance as  circumstances  may  require. 

"Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  make  arrange- 
ments for  the  firing  a  salute  of  100  guns  on  Monday,  April  15,  1844,  in 
honor  of  the  large  number  of  the  generous  and  liberal  employers  who 
have  already  signified  their  willingness  to  pay  the  new  scale." 

This  firing  of  guns  was  premature,  if  intended  as  a  celebration  of 
victory.  May  6,  1844,  the  association  opened  reading  rooms  and  a 
house  of  call  at  No.  109  Nassau  street  for  the  use  of  all  the  journeymen 
printers,  and  where  "members  of  the  association  out  of  employment  are 
requested  to  call  and  register  their  names  and  addresses."  It  was,  in 
fact,  a  "headquarters  of  the  strikers"  such  as  we  know  today.  Matters 
grew  worse  and  worse  for  the  association.  July  22  the  following  "ad- 
dress" was  issued: 

"The  corresponding  secretary  of  the  Franklin  Typographical  Asso- 
ciation having  been  duly  appointed  by  the  board  of  managers  to  confer 
with  certain  printers  concerning  prices,  respectfully  submits  the  follow- 
ing report: 

"Saturday  morning,  July  20,  I  called  on  John  F.  Trow,  the  corpora- 
tion printer,  and  stated  to  him  that  I  had  been  appointed  by  the  associa- 
tion, to  inquire  of  him  if  there  was  any  truth  in  the  rumor  that  he  was 
about  to  reduce  prices  in  his  book  office.  He  answered  me  very  haugh- 
tily, 'Suppose  there  is?'  I  said  that  I  did  not  come  to  explain  why  he 
should  not  reduce  prices,  but  merely  to  ask  what  truth  there  was  in  the 
rumor.  Again  he  replied,  'Suppose  there  is?'  I  asked  him  if  that  wa» 
his  only  answer.  He  replied  that  he  acknowledged  no  right  in  the  as- 
sociation to  ask  him  questions;  that  the  association  had  been  the  cause 
of  difficulty  in  his  office,  and  that  he  was  determined  to  'set  his  face 
against'  this  or  any  other  association  that  should  assume  the  right  of 
dictation  as  to  what  men  should  receive  for  their  labor.  He  should  'set 
his  face  against  the  association.'  He  held  that  he  had  the  right  to  pay 
what  he  pleased  for  work,  and  that  no  one  had  a  right  to  say  a  word  in 
the  matter;  and  he  was  'determined  to  set  his  face  against  the  associa- 
tion.' 

".'\fter  this  ebullition  of  superfluous  breath,  the  gentlemanly  corpo- 
ration printer  set  his  back  against  me  and  I  walked  off. 

"Printers  of  New  York!  have  you  no  interest  in  this  matter?  A 
portion  of  your  number,  by  great  exertion  formed  an  association— upon 
a  liberal  and  benevolent  plan— have  adopted  a  scale  of  prices  to  which 


76  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

these  very  men  acceded,  and  which  every  honorable  employer  considers 
fair  and  just. 

"This  scale  of  prices  will  put  more  money  in  your  pocket  in  a  month 
than  the  association  will  take  from  you  in  a  whole  year. 

"H  you  who  are  not  members  of  our  association  would  come  up  and 
join — if  you  would  help  yourselves  fight  your  own  battles — we  might 
give  such  answer  as  would  effectually  convince  Mr.  John  F.  Trow,  and 
otliers  of  his  belief,  that  free  and  independent  men,  men  who  earn  an 
honest  livelihood  by  the  sweat  of  their  brow,  have  a  right  to  dictate  to 
fellow-men — aye  though  their  names  be  not  blazoned  six  several  times 
in  gorgeousness  of  gold  leaf  and  black  paint  upon  the  walls  of  a  four- 
story  building. 

"Hut  if  the  mass  of  journeymen  printers  will  remain  idle  in  this 
business — if  they  will  shun  all  opportunity  for  benefiting  themselves — 
ti:cn  they  must  submit  to  be  insolently  told  that  they  have  no  right  to 
ask  a  fair  return  for  their  labor,  that  they  must  take  what  their  mas- 
ters choose  to  offer,  and  be  silant;  they  must  be  content  to  cringe  before 
the  sou  less  tyrant  who  by  any  means  may  happen  to  possess  control 
over  a  case  of  type  and  a  rickety  press;  they  must  be  content  to  live  or 
die,  to  feast  or  starve,  as  the  greed  and  avarice  of  the  employer  may 
dictate. 

"Fellow-journeymen!  have  you  not  as  fair  a  right  to  sunlight  and 
shade,  to  air  and  existence  as  any  other  breathing  mortal?  If  so,  then 
protect  that  right,  for  it  is  in  danger.  The  men  who  would  deprive  you 
of  a  portion  of  your  hard-earned  wages,  were  willing  for  their  own  in- 
terests to  pay  the  scale  at  the  time  of  its  adoption. 

"Business  was  brisk  then,  work  was  plenty,  and  men  were  in  de- 
mand. Now  work  is  scarce,  and  for  that  reason  these  fellows  would  cut 
down  your  wages!  as  if  the  laborer  was  responsible  for  the  decrease  of 
business,  and  his  wife  and  children  must  be  punished  and  starved  so 
that  the  employer's  account  of  profits  and  gain  may  foot  up  as  they  did 
when  business  was  good.  Oh,  charitable,  enlightened,  benevolent  logic 
that  would  reduce  the  compensation  for  work  because  work  is  scarce. 

"In  view  of  these  circumstances,  we  call  upon  the  journeymen  print- 
ers of  New  York  to  come  up,  not  to  help  us  individually,  nor  for  the 
purpose  of  parade  or  display,  but  come  up  for  the  benefit  of  yourselves, 
for  your  own  protection,  for  the  protection  of  your  wives  and  children— 
for  the  protection  of  their  honor — for  the  protection  of  the  honor  and  the 
dignity  of  labor,  and  the  character  of  freemen;  all  of  which  are  endan- 
gered by  the  illiberal,  selfish  and  unjust  actions  of  a  certain  number  of 
purse-proud  mortals. 

"T.  F.  Ottarson, 
''Corresponding  Secretary," 

The  last  meeting  of  this  militant  association,  so  far  as  can  be 
learned,  was  held  December  21,  1844.  About  this  time,  or  possibly  in 
1843,  an  attempt  was  made  to  found  a  national  secret  society,  to  be 
composed  of  picked  men  from  the  local  associations  in  all  cities,  and 
to   be   called    "The   Order   of   Faust."      The   move   was    started    in    New 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OK    I'RINTHRS  7- 

York  City,  and  it  is  said  that  such  of  the  leaders  as  were  approached 
in  Albany,  Washington,  Cincinnati,  Boston  and  Philadelphia  were 
ready  to  join  and  to  found  co-ordinate  branches.  Only  rumors  of  it 
ever  reached  the  surface,  and  if  such  secret  society  was  ever  really 
formed  it  did  not  get  beyond  New  York,  and  never  exerted  any  in- 
fluence. 

The  years  from  1844  to  1847  were  remarkable  for  nothing  but  the 
same  old  temporizing  struggle  over  apprentices,  and  the  ever-swelling 
army  of  "two-thirders,"  which  was  augmented  continuously  from 
the  apprentices.  In  1845,  in  Washington,  a  group  of  printers  forming 
a  committee  from  the  society  were  arrested  upon  a  charge  of  "con- 
spiracy," as  the  result  of  an  attempt  to  enforce  the  society's  appren- 
ticeship regulations,  which  all  of  the  employers  (including  those  caus- 
ing the  arrest)  had  agreed  to  for  years,  but  which  nobody,  not  even 
the  society,  had  paid  much  attention  to.  The  extent  to  which  appren- 
tices were  substituted  for  journeymen,  as  compared  with  the  present 
time,  can  be  best  realized  by  reference  to  an  incident  in  Detroit.  Mich. 
In  1846  the  apprentices  struck  on  a  Detroit  newspaper,  and  publication 
was  suspended  for  two  days  because  there  were  not  journeymen  enough 
to  do  the  work.  November  22,  1847,  the  Albany  (N.  Y.)  association 
sent  out  a  letter  stating  that  contractors  had  taken  the  state  printing 
at  17  cents  per  1,000  ems,  and  were  hiring  boys  at  $3  a  week  to  do  the 
work.  The  next  year  the  Albany  union  limited  the  number  of  appren- 
tices. In  1847  the  Baltimore  association  adopted  a  constitutional 
amendment  limiting  apprentices  at  the  ratio  of  one  apprentice  to  each 
three  journeymen.  In  the  convention  of  1850  the  Baltimore  delegates, 
as  well  as  those  of  Albany,  urged  limitation,  and  referred  to  that  of 
their  own  unions,  but  without  mentioning  the  ratio.  Mr.  H.  T.  Ogden, 
of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  who  was  a  delegate  to  the  convention  of  1850.  in 
an  interview  for  this  report  kindly  supplied  this  important  information. 
Mr.  Ogden  went  to  Cincinnati  in  1847,  and  his  first  employment  was  in 
a  job  office  where  there  were  three  journeymen  and  five  boys,  called 
apprentices,  but  were  only  so  in  name.  Mr.  Ogden  thinks  that  was 
about  the  ratio  throughout  the  Middle  West  at  that  time.  Few  offices 
had  more  than  one  or  two  journeymen.  He  remembers  that  in  the  best 
office  in  Lexington,  Ky.,  in  1836,  there  was  one  journeyman  and  five  ap- 
prentices in  the  news  composing  rooms  and  one  journeyman  and  one 
apprentice  in  the  job  room.  In  1847  Mr.  Ogden  corresponded  with  the 
Baltimore  union  and  got  its  apprenticeship  limitation  rule,  which  was 
adopted  by  the  Cincinnati  union  in  1848.  In  1849  there  seems  to  have 
been  a  rivalry  between  the  radical  and  conservative  elements,  the 
former  wishing  to  further  restrict  apprentices  by  increasing  the  ratio  to 
r  to  4.  Mr.  Ogden  was  the  candidate  of  the  "i  to  3"  party,  ind  was 
elected  president  of  the  union.  The  Cincinnati  scale  in  1848  was  |io 
a  week.     The  scale  for  1853  will  be  found  in  Appendix  D,  No.  la. 

In  1848  the  Typographical  Union  of  Boston  was  organized.  A 
preliminary  meeting  to  discuss  organization  was  held  December  8,  1848. 
at  the  residence  of  Mr.  Henry  K.  Oliver,  who  later  became  the  fir»t 
chief  of  the  first  bureau  of  the  statistics  of  labor.      Final  organization 


78 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


was  effected  December  i6,  1848,  with  approximately  sixty  members.  The 
prices  paid  at  that  time  were  25  cents  per  1,000  ems  to  first-class  jour- 
neymen in  the  best  offices  and  16?^  cents  to  "two-thirders,"  who  out- 
numbered the  journeymen  about  two  to  one.  The  union  issued  a  cir- 
cular in  December,  1848,  in  which  it  said: 

"There  are  in  Boston  156  journeymen  working  12  hours  each 
day  and  7  days  each  week,  who  receive  on  an  average  of  $9.25  per 
week.  There  are  323  journeymen  working  10  hours  each  day  and  6 
days  each  week,  who  receive  on  an  average  of  $6  per  week." 

The  scale  of  prices  demanded  by  the  union  in  1849  was  28  cents 
per  1,000  ems,  with  a  weekly  rate  of  $13  on  morning  papers;  for  even- 
ing and  semi-weekly  papers,  28  cents  per  1,000,  and  $10  for  weekly  rate. 
Job  offices  and  weekly  papers  paid  the  same  piece  rate,  or  $9  a  week 
on  weekly  rate;  time  work  was  20  cents  an  hour. 

The  Pittsburg  (Pa.)  Typographical  Association,  formed  in  1849, 
issued  a  scale  of  prices,  which  is  reproduced  in  Appendix  B,  No.  8. 
This  union  proposed  at  first  only  a  three-year  indentured  apprentice- 
ship for  all  boys  employed  in  offices;  but  in  1850  or  1851  adopted  a 
limitation  of  apprentices  at  "i  to  3."  The  Boston  union  of  1848  tried 
to  solve  its  problems  by  refusing  to  admit  to  membership  any  who  had 
not  served  a  four-year  apprenticeship  and  had  recommendations  as  a 
good  printer.  It  is  difficult  to  see  how  this  would  solve  the  problem 
of  the  "two-thirder,"  who  was  content  to  remain  a  two-thirder  and  out 
of  the  union,  however,  as  it  is  not  at  all  clear  that  members  refused 
to  work  with  non-union  men  at  first,  and  certainly  not  with  non-union 
men  who  claimed  to  be  only  apprentices,  as  the  "two-thirders,"  when 
driven  to  defense,  invariably  did.  In  1849  the  Boston  union  had  a 
long  and  bitter  strike  to  enforce  its  new  scale. 

December  29,  1849,  a  meeting  attended  by  27  compositors  from 
the  daily  newspaper  offices  was  held  in  New  York  City  to  discuss 
organization  and  the  prospects  of  securing  a  uniform  scale  of  wages 
throughout  the  city.  This  was  accomplished  January  19,  1850,  by  the 
organization  of  the  New  York  Typographical  Union  (now  "Big  Six") 
and  the  adoption  of  a  scale  calling  for  32  cents  per  1,000  ems,  which 
the  employers  acceded  to  without  friction.  Hon.  Horace  Greeley,  having 
accepted  an  invitation  to  do  so,  was  elected  its  first  president;  "working 
cards"  with  his  signature  as  president  still  exist  and  are  greatly  prized 
by  their  owners,  (a) 

a  The  New  York  Tribune  of  January  21,  1850,  contains  the  follow- 
ing notice  of  the  organization  and  condensation  of  the  constitution 
adopted: 

At  a  meeting  of  the  New  York  Printers'  Union  held  on  Saturday 
evening,  January  19,  1850,  the  following  officers  were  elected:  President, 
Horace  Greeley;  vice-president,  Edgar  II.  Rogers;  recording  secretary, 
William  li.  Prindle:  financial  secretary,  R.  Cunningham;  corresponding 
secretary,  George  Johnson;  treasurer,  Thomas  N.   Rooker. 

CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    NEW    YORK    PRINTERS*    UNION. 

The  objects  of  the  union  shall  be  the  maintenance  of  a  fair  rate  of 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    I'RINTERS  -y 

A  typographical  union  existed  in  San  Francisco.  Cal..  and  one  in 
Trenton,  N.  J.,  in  1850;  but  whether  organized  in  that  year  or  not.  is 
not  known.  The  San  Francisco  scale  of  wages  was  $5  a  day.  Likewise 
the  printers  of  Savannah,  Ga.,  and  those  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  report  or- 
ganization and  trouble  in  September,  1850,  but  do  not  clearly  indicate 
how  long  they  had  been  organized. 

wages,  the  assistance  and  encouragement  of  good  workmen,  the  support 
of  members  in  sickness  and  distress,  the  relief  of  deserving  prmtir* 
who  may  visit  our  city  in  search  of  employment,  the  establishment  of  a 
library  for  the  use  and  instruction  of  members,  and  to  use  every  means 
in  our  power  which  may  tend  to  the  elevation  of  printers  in  the  scale 
of  social  life. 

1.  The  officers  of  this  union  shall  consist  of  a  president,  vice-presi- 
dent, a  recordmg  secretary,  a  financial  secretary,  a  corresponding  secre- 
tary, a  treasurer,  a  financial  committee  of  three  to  serve  one  year,  a 
visiting  committee  of  seven  to  serve  for  three  months,  a  relief  commit- 
tee of  five  to  serve  for  six  months,  and  a  board  of  five  trustees  to  be 
elected  annually. 

2.  The  regular  meetings  of  the  union  are  to  be  held  on  the  first  and 
third  Saturdays  of  each  month,  and  special  meetings  may  at  any  time 
be  called,  at  the  request  of  six  members,  signified  in  writing  to  the 
president. 

3.  Eleven  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transacting  of 
business. 

4.  The  initiation  fee  is  $1,  and  application  for  admission  mav  be 
made  through  any  member,  the  applicant  first  depositing  in  the  hands  of 
the  financial  secretary  the  sum  of  $1. 

5.  At  the  next  meeting  after  his  proposition  the  union  shall  take 
his  request  into  consideration  and  it  shall  thereupon  be  balloted  for  by 
ball  ballots,  and  if  the  applicant  shall  receive  three-quarters  of  all  the 
ballots,  he  shall  be  entitled  to  a  certificate  of  membership. 

6.  Any  printer  who  has  attained  the  age  of  21  years,  who  is  in 
sound  health,  and  of  good  moral  standing  in  society,  may  become  a  mem- 
ber by  complying  with  the  requirements  of  the  constitution. 

7.  Members  may  pay  their  dues  monthly  if  they  prefer  if,  and 
should  the  liabilities  of  the  union  in  consequence  of  benefits  to  sick  and 
superannuated  members  exceed  the  receipts  thereof,  then  three-quarter* 
of  the  members  present  at  a  regular  meeting,  or  at  a  special  (in  which 
not  less  than  twenty  members  shall  form  a  quorum)  shall  have  pi)\\cr  10 
lay  an  assessment  not  to  exceed  the  sum  of  $j  in  any  one  year  upon 
every  member  of  the  union  in  addition  to  all  other  constitutional  dues. 

8.  In  addition  to  the  initiation  fee  of  $1,  the  sum  of  $6.50  per  an- 
num will  be  required  from  each  member  as  dues,  payable  quarterly  on 
the  first  Saturday  of  April,  July,  October  and  January. 

9.  Members  who  are  rendered  unable  to  work  by  sickness  shall  re- 
ceive the  sum  of  $4  per  week,  and  in  case  of  death  of  a  member's  wife. 
$20.  In  case  of  the  death  of  a  member  an  assessment  of  js  cents  upon 
each  member  will  be  made  for  defraying  the  funeral  expense*.  The 
surplus,   if  any,  to  go  into  the  general   fund. 

10.  No  member  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  any  benefits  until  he 
shall  have  been  a  member  one  year. 

11.  Whenever  a  new  member  is  proposed  a  committee  of  investiga- 
tion of  the  members  shall  he  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  qualification* 
of  the  candidate  and  report  in   writing  at  the  next  regular  meeting. 

12.  The  widows  and  orphans  of  members  who  arc  qualified  at  the 
time  of  their  decease  shall,  upon  the  recommendation  of  a  committee 
appointed  to  investigate  the  circumstances,  be  allowed  such  assutances 
as  the  union  may  from  time  to  time  direct. 

13.  This  union  may  at  any  future  time  adopt  a  scale  of  pr»cet  for 
the  governance  of  the  trade-  and  any  printer  who  may  be  working  lor 
less  than  such  scale  shall  not  be  considered  a  proper  perton  to  be  • 
member  of  this  union. 


8o  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

The  present  typographical  union  in  Philadelphia  was  organized 
August  10,  1850,  adopting  a  constitution  and  by-laws  (reproduced  in 
Appendix  A,  No.  8),  and  price  list,  which  is  given  in  full  in  Appendix 
B,  No.  9.  This  constitution  limits  apprentices,  and  prohibits  its  mem- 
bers from  working  with  "two-thirders."  The  union  was  immediately  in- 
volved in  a  strike.  September  18,  1850,  there  were  425  members  en- 
rolled and  30  journeymen  who  had  refused  to  join,  but  were  not  work- 
ing below  the  scale.  September  21  the  "vigilance  committee"  reported 
55  "two-thirders"  and  60  unbound  boys  in  the  printing  offices  of  the 
city,  and  gave  name  and  detailed  personal  description  of  each.  The 
strike  lasted  into  December,  when  the  committee  reported  to  the  union 
that  it  could  not  win  the  strike  with  the  demands  as  they  then  stood; 
recommending  the  repeal  of  the  limitation  on  apprentices,  that  being  the 
one  demand  most  bitterly  opposed  by  employers,  and  the  one  which 
alienated  public  sentiment.  The  sections  of  the  by-laws  limiting  appren- 
tices were  repealed,  as  the  union  was  unable  by  strike  to  enforce  them. 
September  28,  1850,  the  New  York  union  issued  a  call  for  a  national 
convention,  Boston  and  Philadelphia  joining  in  the  call. 

The  National  Convention  of  Journeymen  Printers  of  the  United 
States  met  December  2,  1850,  in  New  York  City,  with  delegates  from 
unions  in  the  following  cities:  New  York  City;  Albany,  N.  Y. ;  Balti- 
more, Md. ;  Trenton,  N.  J.;  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  Louisville,  Ky.  The 
cities  heard  from  by  letters  read  in  convention  were  Boston,  St.  Louis, 
San  Francisco,  Washington  and  Cincinnati.  The  time  of  the  convention 
of  1850  was  largely  taken  up  with  the  discussion  of  a  proposition  to 
limit  the  number  of  apprentices.  Mr.  Conway,  of  Baltimore,  started  it 
by  offering  the  following  resolution: 

"Resolved,  That  the  principle  now  in  successful  operation  in  Balti- 
more city,  limiting  the  number  of  apprentices  in  the  various  printing 
offices,  be  earnestly  recommended  to  the  trade  throughout  the  country." 

All  the  delegates  seemed  to  favor  limiting  apprentices,  but  some 
construed  the  resolution  as  committing  the  convention  to  the  Balti- 
more plan  of  restriction,  and  others  wanted  the  local  unions  to  quietly 
adopt  the  plan  without  the  publicity  which  the  adoption  of  the  reso- 
lution by  the  national  convention  would  excite.  This  was  the  view  of 
the  Philadelphia  delegates,  one  of  whom,  Mr.  Keyes,  objected  princi- 
pally to  the  Baltimore  method  and  introduced  the  substitute  resolution 
which  finally  passed,  as  follows: 

"Resolved,  That  the  limiting  of  the  number  of  apprentices  be  ear- 
nestly recommended  to  the  various  unions  throughout  the  country,  for 
their  adoption." 

The  report  says:  "All  agreed  as  to  its  utility  and  justice;  the  only 
question  was  as  to  its  expediency."  The  Philadelphia  delegate  espe- 
cially, "though  favorable  to  the  principle  in  itself,  was  opposed  to  its 
being  so  openly  proclaimed.     He  thought  it  would  be  employed  to  injure 


i 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    Ol'    I'KINTKKS  yj 

the  trade."  It  will  be  remembered  riiiladelpliia  had  just  lost  a  strike  on 
this  issue.  The  Baltimore  delegates  were  divided  on  the  wisdom  of 
openly  demanding  the  restriction,  Mr.  Conway,  however,  carrying  the 
question  by  an  address  in  which  he  said: 

"The  gentlemen  on  the  other  side  urge  that  it  should  be  adopted  bjr 
the  different  unions  quietly,  without  exciting  attention  to  the  subject. 
He  thought  that  the  adoption  of  it  by  the  different  unions  would  excite 
more  attention  and  hostility  than  the  mere  recommendation  of  it,  by 
this  convention.  But  he  did  not  think  we  could  be  injured  by  any 
opposition  which  either  its  adoption  or  its  recommendation  Itiight  pro- 
voke. The  same  objection  might  be  urged  to  every  measure  of  re- 
form which  was  proposed.  If  we  are  going  to  be  regulated  in  our 
actions  by  the  opinions  of  the  employing  class,  and  those  whom  they 
control,  we  might  as  well  go  home  at  once  and  submit  ourselves  entirely 
to  established  usages.  »  ♦  *  jf  there  were  people  hostile  to  this 
[limiting  apprentices],  so  were  there  people  hostile  to  the  assembling  of 
this  convention,  or  to  the  adoption  of  any  measure  calculated  to  redeem 
the  trade  from  the  control  of  the  capitalist.  We  are  not  here  to  con- 
sult their  selfish  views,  but  our  own  interests,  in  our  actions  upon  this 
as  well  as  all  other  measures. 

"The  New  York  delegates  described  the  apprentice  situation  in  that 
city  and  favored  the  resolution  calling  for  a  limitation.  'Too  many  print- 
ers have  been  manufactured  of  late  years.  New  York  City  affords  a 
miserable  proof  of  this  fact.  The  system  is  prolific  of  "rats."  Let  ap- 
prentices be  limited  and  journeymen  would  be  in  demand.  The  price  of 
labor  would  be  increased  and  placed  in  a  position  which  would  enable 
it  to  compete  successfully  with  the  power  of  capital.'  " 

The  resolution  was  adopted,  and  the  printers'  organizations  from 
i8so  stood  committed  to  the  principle  of  limiting  the  number  of  appren- 
tices as  a  defense  against  what  had  amounted  to  child  labor,  althouRh 
the  local  unions  of  Baltimore,  Albany,  New  Orleans  and  Cincinnati  had 
been  acting  upon  this  principle  for  several  years  previously. 

After  debates  and  amendments,  the  convention  finally  agreed  upon 
the  following: 

"Resolved,  That  this  convention  recommend  to  our  brethren 
throughout  the  country  the  formation  of  unions  on  the  following  !»»«»: 

"Resolved.  That  a  standing  national  executive  committee,  of  three 
from  each  state,  be  appointed  to  enforce  the  execution  of  all  resolu- 
tions of  this  convention,  bearing  upon  the  different  sections  here  repre- 
sented; to  gather  information  on  all  matters  of  interest  to  the  trade:  \o 
report  the  same  quarterly  to  the  different  unions,  and  to  the  next  con- 
vention  when  it  assembles;  to  make  arrangements  for  the  assemblinR  of 
the  next  convention,  and  also  to  attend  to  whatever  else  the  convcn.inn 
may  direct,  during  the  interim  between  the  adjournment  of  this  and  the 
assembling  of  the  next  convention. 

"Resolved,    That   this  convention   strcnn-M-Ov    iirer    the   journermea 


82  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

printers  of  every  city  and  town  in  the  United  States  (provided  there 
are  six  or  more  employed  in  such  place)  to  form  themselves  into  unions 
and  establish  connection  with  each  other  for  the  purpose  of  securing 
united  action  upon  every  question  involving  the  interests  of  the  trade; 
and  that  on  and  after  the  ist  day  of  February,  1851,  no  journeyman 
printer,  coming  from  any  city  or  town  known  to  contain  the  organiza- 
tion provided  for  above,  will  be  allowed  to  work  in  any  locality  embraced 
within  this  organization  unless  he  exhibit  a  certificate  of  membership 
from  the  society  situated  in  the  place  from  which  he  comes." 

This  resolution  was  the  result  of  a  compromise.  The  committee 
originally  appointed  by  the  convention  to  draft  a  plan  had  reported  a 
very  modest  resolution,  urging  organization.  One  of  the  delegates 
from  Baltimore,  Mr.  M.  F.  Conway,  who  throughout  the  proceedings 
advocated  the  more  radical  measures,  proposed  as  a  substitute  fer  the 
committee  report  one  which  would  prevent  any  printer,  after  Febru- 
ary i,  1851,  getting  work  in  any  city  represented  in  that  convention 
unless  he  was  a  member  of  a  union  in  the  town  he  came  from.  This 
would  compel  every  town  where  ten  printers  were  employed  to  form  a 
union  if  any  of  the  ten  should  ever  desire  to  get  employment  in  any 
other  town  or  city  where  a  union  existed.  The  New  York  delegates 
declared  such  a  rule  could  not  be  enforced  in  New  York  City;  the 
union  there  was  not  strong  enough.  Mr.  Conway  was  willing  to  except 
New  York  City  from  the  provisions  of  the  resolution,  owing  to  the 
weakness  of  the  organization  there.  Philadelphia  likewise  opposed  this 
radical  action,  and  finally  Delegate  Greene,  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  proposed 
as  a  substitute  the  above  compromise  resolution,  which  was  adopted. 
The  interest  in  this  debate  is  the  side  light  it  throws  on  the  relative 
strength  of  the  unions  in  the  various  localities  then  as  compared  with 
the  present,  and  the  exhibition  of  good  sense  by  the  convention  in  ruling 
against  an  extreme  measure,  which  would  doubtless  have  arrayed  the 
employers  and  unorganized  printers  solidly  against  it  at  its  very  in- 
ception. 

The  basis  upon  which  local  unions  were  to  be  organized  was  stated 
by  resolution,  under  seven  headings,  as  follows: 

"First.  Regulation  and  adjustment  of  the  different  scales  of  prices, 
so  as  not  to  conflict  with  each  other. 

"Second.  Giving  traveling  certificates  to  their  members,  in  good 
standing,  to  be  legal  for  one  year,  which  shall  recommend  the  holders 
thereof  to  assitance  and  traveling  expenses  from  the  union  in  any 
city  or  town  wliere  they  can  not  obtain  work:  Provided,  Said  holders 
have  done  nothing  in  the  meantime,  by  a  course  of  intemperance  or 
otherwise,  to  disqualify  them  from  the  same,  of  which  fact  the  national 
executive  committee  shall  notify  the  unions  or  societies  in  otlier  places. 

"Third.  Keeping  a  registry  of  the  names  of  'rats,'  and  other  un- 
worthy members  of  the  trade,  and  description  of  their  person,  to  be 
sent  to  every  union  or  society  in  the  country,  and  to  be  kept  by  each 
union  for  reference. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


8j 


"Fourth.  Receiving  no  stranger  as  a  member  of  any  union  or  tociety, 
who  shall  not  produce  a  legal  certificate  of  membership  from  the  society 
or  union  of  the  place  to  which  he  belongs. 

"FifUi.  Levying  a  monthly  contribution  upon  each  member,  suffi- 
ciently large  to  enable  it  to  accumulate  within  two  years  a  sum  equiva- 
lent, at  least,  to  $io  for  each  member,  as  a  reserve  fund,  in  view  of 
their  being  compelled  to  quit  work  in  vindication  of  their  rights. 

"Sixth.  Establishing  the  right  of  any  sister  union  or  society  to  call 
upon  them  for  pecuniary  assistance,  if  necessary,  to  the  amount  of  |i 
from  each  member:  Provided,  That  all  sums  thus  loaned  shall  be  repaid 
in  monthly  installments,  equivalent  to  at  least  s  per  cent  of  the  original 
loan;  the  first  installment  to  be  paid  within  one  month  after  the  diffi- 
culty calling  for  the  loan  shall  have  passed  away. 

"Seventh.  Granting  certificates  from  one  union,  to  enable  the  mem- 
bers  thereof  to  become  attached  to  any  other,  without  paying  an  entrance 
fee,  provided  the  holder  intends  residing  permanently  within  the  bounds 
of  the  union  into  which  he  seeks  admission." 

Another  important  move  by  this  convention  was  to  make  a  clear- 
cut  distinction  between  trade  organizations  and  benefit  associations. 
The  early  printers  were  not  actuaries,  nor  had  the  fine  adjustment  of 
premium  rates  to  risks  and  expectancy  been  made  by  any  one  in  those 
days;  hence  the  inaccurate  calculations  at  the  base  of  the  old  benefit 
societies  naturally  led  to  charges  of  bad  management  of  funds,  and 
the  trade-regulating  purposes  of  organization  were  swamped  and  lost 
with  the  collapse  of  the  "benefit  system." 

After  the  discussion  of  a  resolution,  in  which  every  delegate  par- 
ticipated, a  substitute  resolution  was  offered  and  passed  unanirdously, 
as  follows: 

"Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  all  typographical  trade  as- 
sociations to  abolish  the  so-called  benefit  system." 

The  contract  system  of  doing  public  printing  was  denounced,  al- 
though the  convention  put  on  foot  a  plan  by  which  the  combined  unions 
of  the  country  were  to  bid  on  the  Government  printing  and  execute  the 
same  in  a  national  union  office  in  Washington.  The  establishment  of  a 
Government  Printing  Office  was  denounced,  and  Congress  called  upon 
to  let  the  contracts  only  to  "practical  printers."  The  jewel  of  consist- 
ency did  not  at  all  times  adorn  the  proceedings.  Numerous  plans  for 
permanent  national  organization  and  extension  of  the  chain  of  local 
unions  were  discussed. 

The  convention  issued  an  "Address  to  the  journeymen  printers  of 
the  United  States,"  which  will  be  found  in  full  in  Appendix  A.  No.   to. 

This  address,  which  "the  committee  took  the  liberty  to  append"  to 
the  convention  proceedings,  and  thus  preserve,  had,  they  state,  "already 
been  published  in  many  of  the  newspapers."  It  is  not  the  purpose  of 
tliis  article  to  comment  on  the  documents  submitted;  but  as  this  addrrw 
would   be    considered    extremely   radical    if    issued    by   the    International 


§4  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

Typographical  Union  to-day,  and  as  it  is  extremely  improbable  that  any- 
thing bordering  on  some  of  its  sentiments  could  be  passed  in  that  organ- 
ization, it  is  but  fair  to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  lines  between 
radicalism  and  a  progressive  conservatism  were  not  so  clearly  defined  or 
sharply  drawn  then  as  now.  An  attack  upon  the  wage  system  of  in- 
dustry did  not  mean  then  what  it  means  now.  Such  attacks  had  been 
and  were  being  made  by  the  humanitarians  of  that  day;  and  Greeley, 
Dana,  Alcott,  Thoreau,  and  all  they  of  the  Brook  Farm  and  countless 
other  experiments,  were  decrying  the  wage  system  without  exciting  any- 
body, even  themselves.  Their  plan  of  establishing  co-operative  communi- 
ties and  groups,  like  the  Brook  Farm  or  the  proposed  printing  offiv-.e  to 
do  the  Government  printing,  "abolished  the  wage  system"  for  individ- 
uals and  groups  of  individuals.  It  did  not  matter  that  their  idea  was  to 
extend  these  until  all  would  eventually  be  in  some  group,  since  that  was 
so  palpably  impossible  or  infinitely  remote  in  time  that  it  was  a  perfectly 
safe  subject  for  discussion.  That  these  reflections  upon  the  wage  sys- 
tem in  those  days  did  not  mean  what  the  same  language  would  mean 
to-day  is  shown  from  the  fact  that  the  same  convention  unanimously 
passed  a  resolution  opposing  a  Government  printing  office.  There  was 
nothing  inconsistent  about  this  then,  for  the  theory  that  the  wage 
system  can  only  be  ultimately  abolished  for  all  by  the  final  absorption 
of  industries  by  organized  government  had  not  been  definitely  formu- 
lated by  any  school  of  thinkers  in  this  country  at  that  time.  The 
socialists  of  that  day  were  St.  Simonites,  not  Bellamyites,  nor  yet 
Carl  Marxians.  Nevertheless,  it  is  well  to  note  that  the  history  of 
the  typographical  union  is  marked  by  the  gradual  elimination  of  gen- 
era! propositions  from  its  councils;  the  progressively  emphatic  tight- 
ening of  the  lines  on  strictly  trade  matters.  Its  strength  lies  largely 
in  its  experience  and  the  long  line  of  precedents  established,  which 
enable  it  to  know  the  best  thing  to  do  and  to  do  that  quickly  and 
with  firmness.  It  is  organized  not  vaguely  at  the  top  by  the  Interna- 
tional alone,  nor  solely  by  the  more  compact  local  union;  but  in  every 
union  printing  office  there  is  a  chapel,  or  office  organization,  and  its 
discipline  and  control,  as  well  as  its  attempt  to  adjust  grievances,  settle 
troubles,  or  make  agreements  begins  at  the  chapel. 

The  national  executive  committee  was  composed  as  follows : 

Nciv  York. — T.  J.  Walsh,  Albany;  Edwin  H.  Rogers,  Peter  Mac- 
Donald,  New  York  City. 

Pennsylvania. — R.  B.  Smyth,  John  F.  Keyser,  W.  B.  Eckert,  Phila- 
delphia. 

New  Jersey. — Charles  Bechtel,  John  Ilartman,  William  Gillipsy. 
Trenton. 

Alaryland. — M.  F.  Conway,  Frederick  Young,  John  W.  Peregoy, 
Baltimore. 

Kentucky. — George  E.  Greene,  J.  L.  Gibbons,  Raymond  Lynch, 
Louisville. 

The  committee  elected  M.  F.  Conway,  of  Baltimore,  as  chairman  of 
the  national  executive  committee. 

The    Second    National    Convention   of   Journeymen    Printers    met    in 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


85 


Baltimore,  September  12,  1851.  and  organized  with  Mr.  J.  L.  Gibbon*, 
of  Louisville,  Ky.,  as  chairman.  Delegates  were  present  representing 
unions  in  New  York  City,  Albany.  Utica,  Boston,  Philadelphia,  Pitt*- 
burg,  Harrisburg,  Baltimore,  Louisville,  Cincinnati,  Richmond,  and 
Trenton.  A  constitution  was  adopted,  which,  when  ratified  by  the  local 
unions  in  five  states,  was  to  be  the  basis  for  a  new  and  permanent  or- 
ganization, to  be  called  the  National  Typographical  Union.  A  copy  of 
this  document  will  be  found  in  Appendix  A,  No.  11. 

Methods  for  promoting  organization  among  printers  and  denuncia- 
tions of  the  system  of  letting  public  printing  by  contract  to  the  lowest 
bidder  occupied  most  of  the  time  in  their  discussion,  and  little  besides 
the  adoption  of  the  constitution  was  done.  A  minority  report  from  the 
three  strongest  men  on  the  general  committee  advised  against  permanent 
organization  and  the  adoption  of  a  constitution  at  that  convention. 
Only  one  part  of  their  report  is  important  here.  One  principal  reason 
the  minority  gave  was  "that  inasmuch  as  there  are  but  1 1  unions  rep- 
resented in  this  body,  while  there  must  be  at  least  50  in  active  opera- 
tion throughout  the  country,  and  the  unorganized  material  for  as  many 
more,"  the  minority  did  not  believe  it  wise  to  attempt  to  construct  a 
permanent  organization  until  a  larger  number  of  unions  could  be  rep- 
resented. Mr.  Henry  T.  Ogden,  of  Cincinnati,  was  one  of  those  sign- 
ing this  minority  report,  and  he  was  interviewed  on  the  statement  made 
that  "there  must  be  at  least  50  unions  in  active  operation"  at  the  time 
of  this  convention.  Mr.  Ogden's  wonderful  memory,  reading  back 
from  1904  to  1851  with  astonishing  clearness,  corroborated  most  em- 
phatically the  opinion  forced  by  this  investigation.     He  said: 

"The  use  of  the  number  'fifty'  was  not  the  result  of  careful  count- 
ing; in  fact,  was  not  based  upon  any  actual  knowledge.  It  was  a  mere 
guess.  Mr.  Conway,  of  Baltimore;  Mr.  Walsh,  of  Albany,  and  myself 
thought  we  had  better  go  slow  on  permanent  constitutions,  and  as  one 
of  the  arguments,  called  attention  to  the  mass  of  unrepresented  printers. 
Another  thing  is  that,  while  the  distinction  between  the  old  benefit 
society  with  non-trade-interference  constitution  and  the  union  idea  was 
very  clear  and  strong  in  1851,  there  was  still  a  hope  that  all  these  bene- 
fit societies  would  unionize  their  membership  bodily  as  soon  as  a  strong 
national  union  was  formed,  and  we  were  still  counting  on  these.  Never- 
theless, I  doubt  if  all  three  of  us  could  have  made  a  list  of  fifty,  even 
counting  the  benefit  societies." 

The  apprenticeship  recommendations  of  the  convention  of  1851  were 
less  radical  than  those  of  1850,  the  evident  policy  being  to  throw  every 
important  matter  over  to  the  convention  of  185^.  When.  howe%er.  the 
convention  of  1852  assembled  it  was  as  the  Third  National  Convention 
of  Journeymen  Printers,  as  the  unions  from  the  necessary  five  different 
states  had  not  yet  signed  the  constitution  of  1851  and  paid  the  requi- 
site $s.  It  was  not  until  the  fourth  day  of  that  convention— that  ».  on 
May  6,  1852— that  the  needed  signatures  were  obtained  and  the  Natioaal 
Union    formed.      By   resolution,    however,    the   convention   on    the   third 


86  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

day  of  its  session  declared  itself  as  acting  under  the  constitution  of 
1851.  There  were  delegates  from  Cincinnati,  Indianapolis,  New  York 
City,  Albany,  Louisville,  Baltimore,  Pittsburg,  Harrisburg,  Philadelphia, 
Columbus,  Boston,  St.  Louis,  Memphis,  Cleveland,  and  from  Richland 
and  Ashland,  Ky.  Not  all  of  these  delegates,  however  seemed  inclined 
to  take  part  in  the  convention,  and  the  permanent  organization  was 
formed  upon  definite  assurances  from  but  seven  unions,  as  follows: 
New  York  City,  Boston,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Cincinnati,  Albany, 
and  Pittsburg.  Prior  to  the  organization  of  the  National  Union,  hence 
within  the  scope  of  this  article,  the  convention  adopted  a  report  of  the 
"committee  on  business,"  covering  many  of  the  questions  that  have  been 
brought  down  historically  to  this  point.  The  two  most  important  of 
these  resolutions  were  the  following: 

"Second.  Resolved,  That  we  discountenance  the  system  known  as 
the  two-thirds  'system,  and  strongly  recommend  to  the  subordinate 
unions  the  propriety  of  crushing  an  evil  so  prejudicial  to  our  interests 
and  our  rights. 

"Fourth.  Resolved,  That  subordinate  •  unions  be  recommended  to 
use  their  influence,  as  far  as  possible,  to  do  away  with  the  employment 
of  apprentices  on  daily  papers." 

It  must  not,  however,  be  inferred  that  either  of  these  problems  was 
solved  by  resolutions.  As  stated  above,  on  May  6,  1852,  the  organiza- 
tion of  National  Journeymen  Printers  passed  into  the  present  National 
Union,  and  the  limit  set  upon  this  article  is  reached. 

Quite  a  number  of  local  societies  and  unions  did  not  immediately 
join  in  this  national  movement.  The  Washington  society,  which  was 
the  prime  factor  in  the  national  organization  of  1836,  declined  to  enter 
that  of  1850  or  1852,  and  was  the  last  of  the  older  organizations  to  join, 
which  it  did  in  1867.  In  Appendix  B  will  be  found  the  wage  scales  of  this 
society  down  to  1866,  which  was  the  last  issued  as  an  independent  society. 
The  Washington  union  did  not  limit  apprentices  until  it  joined  the 
National  Union  in  1867. 

No  account  is  here  taken  of  the  local  unions  that  withdrew  from 
the  National  and  remained  out  for  a  few  years.  There  was,  however, 
an  organization  movement  in  the  Territories  of  the  extreme  West  that 
was  entirely  outside  the  sphere  of  influence  of  the  National  Union,  and 
must  be  referred  to.  The  only  document  left  by  this  movement,  so  far 
as  known,  was  found  in  1904  in  an  old  job  printing  office  in  Salem, 
Ore.  The  original  is  the  property  of  the  typographical  union  of  that 
city.  There  is  a  copy  in  the  collection  of  the  Oregon  Historical  Society, 
at  Portland.     The  original  is  on  parchment,  and  is  as  follows: 

"journeymen  printers'  convention. 

"Pursuant  to  notice  the  printers  of  Oregon  and  Washington  Ter- 
ritories met  in  convention  in  Portland,  on  Saturday  evening,  June  n, 
1853,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  typographical  society. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    I'RINTKRS  gy 

"On  motion,  T.  F.  McFIroy  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  K.  M.  Waite 
appointed  secretary. 

"On  motion.  Ed  M.  Cowne,  W.  B.  Affleck.  H.  S.  Stipp  and  R.  D. 
Austin  were  appointed  a  committee  to  draft  resolutions. 

"The  committee  on  resolutions  reported  the  following,  which  were 
unanimously  adopted: 

"  'Whereas,  We,  the  printers  of  Oregon  and  Washington  Territo- 
ries, in  considering  the  great  disadvantage  attendant  upon  the  present 
system  of  our  labors  in  these  Territories,  and  with  a  view  of  obviating, 
as  far  as  practicable,  present  evils,  and  establishing  a  basis  upon  which 
all  connected  or  interested  in  the  cause  of  right  can  heartily  indorse, 
consider  the  organization  of  an  association  for  mutual  protection  and 
advancement  of  the  journeymen  printers  of  the  above-named  Territories 
necessary;  therefore,  be  it 

"  'ResoheJ,  That  this  association  shall  be  known  as  the  "Oregon 
and  ^^'ashi^gton  Typographical  Society,"  and  we,  as  members,  consider- 
ing the  present  rates  of  labor  disproportionate  in  comparison  with  other 
mechanical  branches;  therefore,  be  it 

"  'Resolved,  That  after  the  20th  day  of  June,  1853,  we,  as  members 
of  this  society,  will  not  work  at  the  printing  business  for  less  prices 
than  the  old-established  rates  of  $1,500  per  year  or  $5  per  day,  and  will 
use  all  honorable  means  in  our  power  to  prevent  ratting  by  either  em- 
ployers or  those  employed. 

"  'Resolved.  That  any  printer  belonging  to  this  society  accepting  a 
situation  and  working  for  less  than  these  rates  shall  b«  treated  by  us  as 
a  dishonorable  man,  and  we  hold  it  our  privilege  to  publish  him  to  the 
world  as  a  rat. 

"  -Resolved,  That  as  members  of  the  craft  known  as  the  "art  pre- 
servative of  all  arts"  we  will  protect  each  other  in  the  same,  and  do  all 
in  our  power  to  hinder  an  innovation  among  us. 

"  'Resolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  be  presented  to 
the  publishers  of  the  different  papers  in  Oregon  and  Washington  Terri- 
tories for  publication.' 

"On  motion,  a  committee  of  five  was  appointed  to  draft  a  constitu- 
tion and  by-laws. 

"The  following  persons  were  chosen  by  the  chairman:  W.  H.  .Af- 
fleck, E.  M.  Waite,  Ed  M.  Cowne,  H.  S.  Stipp,  and  J.  R.  Thoman. 

"On  motion,  the  following  corresponding  secretaries  were  appointed: 
W.  B.  Affleck,  Portland;  Ed  M.  Waite,  Salem.  Oregon  Territory,  and 
T.  F.  McElroy,  Olympia,  Washington  Territory. 

"On  motion,  the  meeting  adjourned  to  meet  on  Sunday.  June  18.  at 

8  o'clock  p.  M.  _,  _,    . 

"T.  F.  McEuiOY.  Chtttrman. 

"E.  M.  Waite,  Secretary." 

To  summarize,  we  find  documentary  evidence  that  New  York  City 
had  an  organization,  probably  temporary,  in  1786;  another  forme!  m 
1795  and  existing  until  late  in  1797:  a  third  existing  from  i79'>  to  .m<m. 
another  organized   in    1809  and  existing  as  a  trade  organization  to   i    18. 


88  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

and  as  a  mutual  benefit  society  still  in  existence.  Again,  in  1831  a 
trade  organization  formed  principally  by  newspaper  compositors,  and 
existing  until  about  1840,  the  exact  date  of  its  dissolution  not  being 
known.  Again,  in  1844  an  organization  which  seems  to  have  continued 
only  from  April  to  the  last  of  December  of  that  year,  and,  lastly,  the 
present  union,  which  was  organized  in  January,  1850.  In  Philadelphia 
the  printers  organized  in  1802,  continuing  as  a  trade  organization  with 
benefit  features  until  1831,  when  it  was  reorganized  as  a  purely  benefit 
society  and  as  such  still  exists;  another  association,  organized  in  1833, 
lasted  until    1839  or   1840,  and  in   1850  the  present  union  was  organized. 

In  Boston  the  evidence  of  an  organization  in  1803  is  not  quite  con- 
clusive; one  organized  in  1809  lasted  until  1826  (that  of  1822  being  a 
non-trade-regulating  society);  another  in  1838,  the  date  of  the  dissolu- 
tion of  which  was  not  ascertained,  and  the  present  union,  formed  in 
1848. 

Baltimore,  in  1814,  organized  a  society  which  existed  until  1826,  the 
present  union  having  been  organized  in  1831. 

Washington  organized  in  1815  the  society  which  still  exists  as 
Union  No.  10 1,  and  is  the  oldest  existing  union  of  printers,  if  not  the 
oldest  union  in  any  trade,  in  the  United  States.  Albany,  N.  Y.,  had  an 
organization  from  1815  to  1827,  another  in  1847.  New  Orleans,  one  in 
1830,  which  must  have  collapsed  in  a  short  time,  as  another  was  organ- 
ized in  1835,  existing  until  about  1845.  The  present  union  was  formed 
in  1852. 

Cincinnati  organized  in  1832  a  society  which  appears  to  have  lasted 
until  about  1840.  The  present  union  was  organized  in  1846,  though  not, 
of  course,  under  its  present  charter,  as  all  charters  were  dated  by  the 
National  Union  and  then  reissued  and  dated  by  the  reorganized  inter- 
national, which  was  not  done  until  1869.  Richmond,  Va.,  and  Charles- 
ton, S.  C,  appear  in  1834.  Louisville,  Ky.,  had  an  organization  in 
1834;  another  in  1839,  which  seems  to  have  survived  until  1847.  I" 
183s  is  found  the  first  mention  of  or  reports  from  organizations  in 
Natchez,  Miss.,  and  Nashville,  Tenn.  In  1836  the  fir^t  record  is  made 
of  organizations  in  Harrisburg,  Pa.;  Mobile,  Ala.,  and  Augusta,  Ga. 
The  Columbia,  S.  C,  society  was  also  organized  in  1836,  the  society 
existing  until  about  1842.  An  organization  was  formed  in  Lexington, 
Ky.,  in  1837.  St.  Louis  had  an  organization  in  1838,  which  appears  to 
have  been  in  existence  some  time  when  first  heard  from  through  a  cir- 
cular letter  issued  by  it  protesting  against  a  continuous  rat  list.  In 
1830  first  mention  is  noted  of  organizations  in  Frankfort,  Ky. ;  Rochester, 
N.  Y.;  Tallahassee,  Fla. ;  Columbus,  Ohio;  Detroit,  Mich.,  and  Vicks- 
burg.   Miss. 

Organizations  were  formed  in  Jackson,  Miss.,  in  1840;  Pittsburg, 
Pa.,  in  1849;  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  in  1849  or  1850;  Savannah,  Ga. ;  Syra- 
cuse, N.  Y.,  and  Trenton,  N.  J.,  in  1850.  The  organization  in  Oregon 
and  Washington  Territories  of  what  appears  to  have  been  a  delegat'- 
union  occurred  in  1853.  Lastly,  two  national  organizations  were  organ- 
ized, that  of  1836  and  that  of  1850,  which  reorganized  in  1852  as  the 
present  national  body  of  printers. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  89 


APPENDIX 


APPENDIX  A.  NO.  1. 

First  Constitution  of  the  Philadelphia  Typographical  Society, 
Adopted  November  6,  1802. 

Preamble. — The  formation  of  institutions  for  the  mutual  benefit 
and  assistance  of  one  another  having  been  found  by  experience  to  be  at- 
tended with  much  good,  when  conducted  with  regularity,  and  supported 
with  energy;  and  it  being  wise  and  expedient  to  provide  in  the  ihiy  of 
prosperity  for  the  exigencies  of  adversity,  we,  the  subscribers,  with  these 
ends  in  view,  and  a  desire  to  consolidate  the  present  good  understand- 
ing and  harmony  which  now  happily  subsists  among  the  brethren  of  our 
profession — have  naturally  considered,  adopted,  and  declared  ourselves 
bound  to  each  other  by  the  following  articles: 

Article  i.  The  society  shall  be  called  and  known  by  the  name  of 
the   "Philadelphia  Typographical   Society." 

Art.  2.  The  concerns  of  the  society  shall  be  governed  by  a  board 
to  consist  of  a  president,  vice-president,  twelve  directors,  a  treasurer,  and 
secretary,  the  former  of  whom  to  be  elected  by  ballot,  and  to  hold  their 
respective  offices  as   follows: 

Art.  3.  The  president  shall  be  elected  in  general  meeting,  on  the 
first  Saturday  in  the  month  of  November  in  every  year,  by  a  majority 
of  the  members  present,  and  shall  hold  his  office  during  the  term  of  one 
year. 

Art.  4.  The  vice-president  shall  be  elected  on  the  first  Saturday  in 
the  months  of  November,  March  and  July,  in  every  year,  by  a  majority 
of  the  directors  present,  and  be  chosen  from  among  their  own  body,  and 
shall  hold  his  office  during  the  term  of  four  months. 

Art.  5.  The  directors  shall  be  elected  by  ballot,  the  first  monthly 
meeting  after  the  adoption  of  this  constitution;  and  immediately  after 
their  election  and  installation  shall  divide  themselves  into  four  classes 
and  the  members  of  the  first  class  shall  hold  their  office  during  the  term 
of  one  month — the  members  of  the  second  class  during  the  term  of  two 
months,  the  members  of  the  third  class  during  the  term  of  thr<c  month*, 
and  the  members  of  the  fourth  class  during  the  term  of  four  month*.  %.< 
that  at  every  monthly  meeting  there  may  be  an  election  for  three  di- 
rectors, and  in  case  of  the  death,  resignation,  or  disability  of  any  di- 
rector or  directors,  then  the  president  for  the  time  being  shall  give  no- 
tice thereof,  and  at  the  first  monthly  meeting  thereafter  another  jK-r^.n 
shall  be  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  such  death,  resignation, 
or  disability  aforesaid. 

Art.  6.    The  treasurer  shall  hold  his  office  during  the  term  of  one 
year,  and  be  elected  as  follows:    On  the  first  Saturday   m   November  in 
every    year    in    general    meeting,    or    on    the    first    Saturday    thereafter. 
three    candidates    for    this    oflSce    shall    he   elected   by   ballot,   and   on   the 
first  meeting  of  the  board  thereafter  one  of  the  three  persons,  as  afore- 
said, elected  shall  he  appointed,  by  a  majority  of  voices  of  the   1  rr-r   r-s 
(except    the    president,    vice-president    and    secretary,    who 
permitted   to   vote   upon   this   occasion)    as    treasurer   of   tt  • 
the  directors  who  shall  vote  lor  him  must  become  surrtir 
ful  execution  of  the  duties  of  his  ofl^ce  in  the  manner   hr:. 

Art.  7.  The  secretary  shall  be  appointed  by  the  president,  by,  and 
with  the  advice  and  concurrence  of  the  board,  and  hold  his  office  dunng 

their  pleasure. 


90 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


Art.  8.  All  acts  of  the  board  of  directors  shall  be  in  the  name  of 
the  Typographical  Society  of  Philadelphia,  and  signed  by  the  president 
for  the  time  being,  attested  by  the  secretary. 

DUTIES  OF  OFFICERS. 

Art.  9.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  president  to  preside  at  all  gen- 
eral and  special  meetings  of  the  society  and  board  of  directors,  to  keep 
order  therein,  and  generally  to  do  such  things  as  to  his  office  may  of 
right  appertain  and  belong. 

Art.  10.  In  the  absence  of  the  president,  or,  in  case  of  disability, 
death,  or  resignation,  the  vice-president  shall  preside,  until  the  re- 
moval of  such  or  until  another  person  to  fill  the  vacancy  shall  be  elect- 
ed, and  perform  the  like  services  as  the  president — and  in  case  of  the 
absence,  disability,  death,  or  resignation  of  the  president  and  vice- 
president,  then  the  board  of  directors  shall  appoint  a  president  pro 
tempore. 

Art.  II.  The  directors  shall  have  power  to  pass  by-laws  for  the 
government  of  themselves,  and  of  the  general  meetings,  resolutions  and 
acts  not  derogatory  to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  the  constitution, 
and  generally  to  transact  all  and  every  such  business  for  the  good  and 
well-being  of  the  society,  and  is  not  in  this  constitution  determined  to 
be  done  in  general  meeting. 

Art.  12.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  to  receive  all  dues, 
fines  and  forfeitures  collected  by  the  secretary  for  the  use  of  the  so- 
ciety— and  receipt  to  the  secretary  therefor — to  keep  exact  and  true  ac- 
counts of  all  moneys  received — and  of  his  expenditures,  and  to  make  no 
disbursements,  unless  authorized  to  do  so  by  a  majority  of  the  directors 
who  voted  the  appropriation,  expressed  in  their  own  proper  handwriting 
on  the  warrant  directed  to  him  for  that  purpose — and  shall,  also,  when 
thereto  required,  by  a  majority  of  the  board,  or  of  the  society  in  gen- 
eral meeting,  make  out,  and  present  a  just  and  true  account  of  his  re- 
ceipts and  expenditures,  and  the  amount  of  cash  in  his  hand — and  on 
his  disability,  resignation,  or  expiration  of  his  term  of  service  deliver 
over  to  his  successor,  in  the  presence  of  the  board,  or  three  of  their 
members,  all  the  money  and  accounts  in  his  possession,  belonging  to  the 
society,  under  pain  of  forfeiting  his  and  the  directors'  security,  afore- 
said. And  in  case  of  the  death  of  the  treasurer,  then  the  receipts  and 
accounts  of  the  secretary  shall  be  sufficient  vouchers  against  his  heirs, 
executors,  or  administrators.  And  on  the  death,  resignation  or  disabil- 
ity of  the  treasurer  the  vacancy  occasioned  in  said  office  thereby,  shall 
be  filled  as  directed  in  the  sixth  article. 

Art.  13.  The  secretary  shall  give  regular  attendance  to  all  special, 
general,  and  stated  meetings  of  the  society  and  board  of  directors,  shall 
keep  an  exact  and  plain  minute  of  their  proceedings,  collect  all  dues,  fines 
and  forfeitures  of  the  members;  which  he  shall  immediately  deliver  to 
the  treasurer,  and  take  his  receipt  therefor  in  a  book  to  be  provided  for 
the  purpose,  and  generally  do  all  and  every  such  things,  when  thereto 
required  by  the  board  or  the  society  in  general  meetings  as  to  them 
shall  seem  proper.  For  all  such  services,  if  punctually  performed,  he 
shall  receive  at  the  rate  of  $1  per  month,  at  the  discretion  of  the  board. 

INSTALLATION  OF  OFFICERS. 

Art.  14.  Immediately  after  their  election  the  respective  officers 
shall  be  entitled  to  take  their  seats,  on  subscribing  to  the  following  dec- 
laration:   I do  solemnly  declare  that  I  will,  to  the  best  of 

my  ability,  execute  the  office  of  and  that   I  will  not  divulge  any 

of  the  proceedings  of  my  brethren,  required  by  them  to  be  kept  secret, 
and  that  I  will,  to  the  utmost  of  my  power,  procure  employment  for 
any  member  or  members  of  this  society,  in  preference  to  any  other, 
when  occasion  requires. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    I'RINTKRS  ,,, 

ADMISSION  OF  MEMBERS. 

Art.  15.  No  person  shall  be  eligible  to  become  a  member  of  this 
society  who  shall  not  have  served  an  apprenticeship  satisfactory  to  the 
board  of  directors,  to  whom  he  shall  make  application  in  person,  and 
they  shall  thereupon  proceed  to  the  election  by  ballot,  and  if  the  can.i. 
date  shall  obtain  a  majority  of  two-thirds  of  the  board  present  he  «hall 
tiien  be  declared  a  member  of  this  society,  and  receive  a  certificate 
thereof. 

DUES,  FINES  AND  FORFEITURES. 

Art.  16.  Every  person  on  subscribing  to  the  constitution  shall  pay 
into  the  hands  of  the  secretary,  to  be  by  him  delivered  over  to  the  trcas 
urer,  the  sum  of  $1,  which  may  thereafter  be  increased  to  any  sum  ndt 
exceeding  $5;  and  in  addition  thereto  the  sum  of  ^s  cents  per  month 
until  he  shall  have  been  ten  years  a  member  of  the  society,  or  be  rcn 
dered  incapable,  by  sickness  or  otherwise,  in  the  opinion  of  the  board. 
to  pay  such  an  installment,  and  if  any  member  shall  neglect,  or  refuse 
to  make  his  monthly  payment  for  three  successive  months,  he  shall  not 
be  entitled  to  vote  at  any  election,  to  hold  any  office  in  the  society,  or 
to  receive  any  benefits  therefrom,  until  such  payments  shall  be  made. 
AH  fines  and  forfeitures  levied  by  the  board  of  directors,  in  virtue  of 
this  constitution,  shall  be  paid  into  the  treasury  for  the  benefit  of  the 
society,  and  if  any  person  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  pay  such  fine  or  for- 
feiture three  months  after  the  same  shall  have  become  due,  the  board 
shall  thereupon  issue  a  notice  to  the  judges  of  elections  forbidding  them 
to  receive  the  votes  of  such  delinquents,  or  to  make  returns  of  any  vote 
which  may  be  given  for  him  to  fill  any  office  in  the  society,  and  in  case 
such  fine  or  forfeiture  shall  be  incurred  by  the  secretary,  he  shall  be 
liable  to  expulsion;  two-thirds  of  the  directors  present  concurring  in  a 
vote  for  that  purpose. 

JUDGES  OF  ELECTIONS. 

Art.  17.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  society  in  general  meeting, 
or,  in  case  of  their  neglect,  then  the  president  for  the  time  being  to  ap 
point  three  fit  and  qualified  persons  to  preside  at  any  election  to  be  held 
in  general  meeting  for  officers  of  the  society,  and  the  said  judges  shall 
make  out  an  exact  and  true  return,  certified  under  their  hands,  of  the 
number  of  votes  given  for  every  person  voted  for,  and  deliver  such  re- 
turns to  the  president,  who  shall  thereupon  declare  the  person  or  persons 
having  the  greatest  number  of  votes  to  be  elected,  and,  in  case  of  a  tie 
between  any  two  or  more  candidates,  the  board  shall  declare  which  of 
them  is  to  exercise  and  hold  the  office. 

QUALIFICATION  OF  VOTERS. 

Art.  18.  No  person  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  without  he  shall  have 
received  a  certificate  of  membership;  nor  then  if  he  shall  be  three 
months  in  arrears  in  his  monthly  payments;  or,  a  notice  has  been  tMurd 
to  the  judges  of  election  against  him,  as  mentioned  in  the  sixteenth  ar- 
ticle. 

ALIMONY. 

Art.   19.    When   the   funds   of   the   society   shall   have  amounted   «o 
$Too    the   board    of    directors   may   award   such    sums   to   sickly    .iii.l    •■■■■> 
tressed  members,  their  widows  and  children,  as  to  them   11 
and  proper;  provided,  that  such  sum  shall  not  exceed  $31 
In  every  case  where  a  member  may  be  thrown  out  of  emi'l 
his  refusing  to  take  less  than   the  established  prices,   they 
if  required,  on  his  own  security,  in  their  discretion,  such  siun  s'^r    «cck 
as  will   be  sufficient  to  defray  his  ordinary  expenses,  ami   if  «iich   mem- 
ber,  by  sickness  or  otherwise,   should  be  rendered   unable   to  refund  the 
amount,  or  part  of  the  sum  so  advanced,  the  board  may  levy  .1  lax  upon 


92 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


every  other  member  of  the  society,  which  shall  be  sufficient,  or  in  part 
sufficient,  to  defray  the  amount  advanced  as  aforesaid.  And  further,  no 
person  shall  receive  the  benefits  arising  from  this  article  until  he  shall 
have  been  six  months  a  member  of  the  society,  unless  he  is  a  stranger, 
and  in  absolute  distress.  And  furthermore,  that  the  sum  of  $io  be  al- 
lowed, from  the  funds  of  the  society,  to  the  widow  or  nearest  relative 
of  any  deceased  member  for  the  purpose  of  defraying  funeral   expenses. 

TREASURER'S   SECURITY. 

Art.  20.  Before  the  treasurer  enters  on  the  duties  of  his  office  he 
shall  give  obligation  to  the  president,  vice-president  and  secretary  for 
the  time  being,  thereby  promising  to  refund  the  amount  of  any  moneys 
which  may  be  in  his  hands,  belonging  to  the  society,  on  his  death,  resig- 
nation, or  removal  from  office,  which  obligation  shall  be  signed  by  and 
equally  obligatory  on  those  directors  who,  by  their  votes,  may  have  se- 
lected him  for  the  office. 

BADGE. 

Art.  21.  The  badge  of  the  society,  when  such  distinction  shall  be 
necessary,  shall  be  a  silver  rule,  to  be  procured  at  the  expense  of  each 
member,  of  such  size  and  dimensions  as  the  board  may  direct,  and  on 
one  side  shall  be  engraved  the  member's  name  and  on  the  other  side  a 
press — and  as  soon  as  the  distinction  shall  be  established  a  gold  rule 
shall  be  provided  for  the  president,  and  belong  to  him,  to  his  successors, 
who  may  hereafter  fill  the  office. 

GENERAL  MEETINGS. 

Art.  22.  A  general  meeting  of  the  society  shall  be  held  the  first 
Saturday  in  every  month  for  the  purpose  of  electing  officers,  hearing 
the  reports  of  the  board  of  directors,  and  making  monthly  payments. 

SPECIAL  MEETINGS. 

Art.  23.  A  special  meeting  of  the  society  shall  be  held  whenever 
the  board  of  directors  shall  think  necessary,  or,  in  case  of  the  failure  of 
their  stated  meetings,  the  president  for  the  time  being  shall  think 
proper. 

REVISION  OF  THE  CONSTITUTION. 

Art.   24.    No  alteration  or  amendment  shall  be  made  to  this   consti- 
tution  unless  two-thirds  of  the  society  present  shall  concur  therein. 
Adopted  November  6,  1802. 

John    Childs, 
Alex.   Scott, 
Wm.  Little, 
S.  Sewall, 
George  White, 

Committee. 

APPENDIX  A,  NO.  2. 

Original  Constitution  of  1815.   Columbia  Typographical  So- 
ciety, 'Washington,  D.  C. 

Preamble. — Whereas,  experience  having  proven  that  the  association 
of  individuals,  and  the  formation  of  societies,  for  the  express  purposes  of 
benevolence,  have  seldom,  if  ever,  failed  to  meet  the  sanction  of  both 
God  and  man,  we,  therefore,  with  these  ends  in  view,  and  by  this  incon- 
trovertible truth  strongly  impressed,  with  the  hope,  that  our  endeavors 
will,  in  like  manner,  merit  the  commcndntion  of  all  good  men,  and  draw 
down  upon   all  our  undertakings  the  benign  influence  of  our  Creator,  to 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    ()1-     PRINTERS 


unite,  and  form  ourselves,  as  one  body,  for  the  mutual  benefit  nf 
binding  ourselves  one  to  the  other  in  manner  following: 


Article  I,  The  society  shall  be  called  and  known  by  the  name  of 
"The  Columbia  Typographical  Society." 

OFFICERS  OF  THE  SOCIETY. 

Art.  II.  The  concerns  of  the  society  shall  be  managed  and  con- 
ducted by  a  president,  vice-president,  treasurer,  secretary,  who  shall  b« 
elected  by  ballot,  and  shall  hold  their  respective  offices  for  and  during 
the  term  of  one  year;  from  and  after  the  first  Saturday  of  January  next. 

Art.  III.  In  case  of  the  death,  resignation,  or  disability  of  any  of- 
ficer, the  president,  or  in  his  absence  the  vice-president  for  the  time  be- 
ing, shall  give  notice  thereof,  and  at  the  first  monthly  meeting  thereafter, 
another  election  shall  be  held  to  fill  the  said  vacancy,  occasioned  by  such 
death,  resignation  or  disability  as  aforesaid.  And  in  all  cases  where  the 
election  of  officers  does  not  take  place  on  the  day  specified  in  this  consti- 
tution, it  shall  be  equally  binding  if  it  takes  place  at  the  next  meeting  of 
the  society  thereafter;  and  the  persons  so  elected  as  aforesaid,  shall  hold 
the  said  office  until  the  first  Saturday  of  January  next  ensuing. 

Art.  I\'.  All  acts  of  the  society  shall  be  in  the  name  of  "the  presi- 
dent, on  behalf  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society,"  and  shall  be 
signed  by  the  president,  for  the  time  being,  attested  by  the  secretary. 

DUTIES  OF  OFFICERS. 

Art.  V.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  president  to  preside  at  all  stated 
and  special  meetings  of  the  society,  and  to  keep  [order]  therein,  and  gen- 
erally to  do  such  things  as  to  his  office  may  of  right  belong — 

Art.  VI.  In  the  absence  of  the  president,  or  in  case  of  his  disabil- 
ity, death,  or  resignation,  the  vice-president  shall  presi<lc,  until  the  re- 
moval of  such  disability  or  another  person  shall  be  elected  |..  fill  such 
vacancy;  and  in  case  of  the  absence,  disability,  death,  or  resisnation  of 
bcth  the  president  and  vice-president,  then  the  members  present  shall 
proceed  to  appoint,  by  ballot,  a  president,  pro  tempore.  _ 

.^rt.  VII.  The  secretary  shall  give  regular  attendance  at  all  special 
and  stated  meetings  of  the  society;  shall  give  an  cxnct  and  plain  minute 
of  their  proceedings;  collect  all  dues,  fines,  and  forfeitures  of  the  mem- 
bers, which  he  shall  immediately  deliver  to  the  treasurer,  and  take  his  re- 
ceipt therefor,  in  a  book  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose,  and  generally  to  do 
all  and  every  such  thing,  when  thereto  required  by  the  society,  as  to  them 
shall  seem  proper.  .         „    , 

Art.  VIII.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  to  receive  all  dues. 
fines,  and  forfeitures  collected  by  the  .secretary  for  the  use  of  the  so- 
ciety,   and   give   a   receipt   to   the   secretary  therefor;    to  keep   exnct   n^.l 

true  accounts  of  all  moneys  so  received,  and  of  his  cxpen.. - 

shall  make  no  disbursements  unless  authorized  so  to  do  bv 

the  society;   and  shall  also,   when   thereto   required  by  a  r 

e-ociety.  make  out  and  present  a  true  and  just  account  "f  '' 

expenditures,  and  the  amount  of  cash  in  his  hands;  and  0:1 

resignation,  or  expiration  of  his  term  of  service,  deliver  ..■• 

ccssor,  in  presence  of  the  society,  all  the  monevs  and  accou 

session,  belonging  to  the  society,  under  p.nin  of  forfeiting  1  ,^^.„,, 

his  bond.     And  in  case  of  the  death  of  the  treasurer,  then  the   rcvcrf 

and  accounts  of  the  secretary  shall  be  sufficient  vouchers. 

TREASURER'S  SECURITY. 

Art.  IX.  Before  the  treasurer  shall  enter  upon  the  ^"«'**  .?'„i'l.'lwii 
fice,  he  shall  give  bond  to  "the  president,  in  "'^Th/innrored  br  t^ 
T„,^n»r,„h;ral   Isnr-irtv.'  "   w  th  such  security  as  shall  be  approrcd  i>y  ">« 


Typographical  Society,'  "  with  such  security 


94 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


society,  thereby  promising  that  the  amount  of  the  moneys  which  may  be 
in  his  hands,  belonging  to  the  society,  shall  be  refunded  on  his  death, 
resignation,  or  removal  from  office;  and  in  all  cases  where  the  person 
elected  to  fill  the  office  of  treasurer,  shall  refuse  or  neglect  to  give  bond, 
with  such  security  as  aforesaid,  the  treasurer,  for  the  time  being,  shall 
hold  the  office  until  another  person  is  chosen,  who  will  comply  with  the 
terms  of  this  article. 

Art.  X.  The  society  shall  make  all  necessary  by-laws,  and  rules 
for  their  government,  in  addition  to  this  constitution:  Provided,  That 
nothing  therein  contained  shall  be  construed  in  any  way  to  contravene 
the  provisions  of  the  same. 

ADMISSION  OF  MEMBERS. 

Art.  XI.  No  person  shall  be  eligible  to  become  a  member  of  this 
society,  who  is  not,  at  the  time  of  his  application,  a  resident  of  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia,  and  who  shall  not  have  served  an  apprenticeship  satis- 
factory to  the  society;  to  a  member  of  which  he  shall  make  application 
in  person,  which  application  must  lay  over  for  consideration  to  the  next 
staled  meeting  of  the  society,  when  they  shall  proceed,  by  ballot,  there- 
upon; and  if  the  candidate  shall  have  a  majority  of  two-thirds  of  the 
inemhers  present,  he  sliall  then  be  declared  a  member  of  the  society,  and 
receive  a  certificate  thereof. 

EXPULSION   OF   MEMBERS. 

Art.  XII.  Whenever  such  satisfactory  evidence  of  the  immoral  or 
improper  conduct  of  any  menber  of  this  society  shall  be  exhibited  to  the 
society,  by  a  member  thereof,  as  may  induce  them  to  consider  such  per- 
son unfit  to  be  continued  a  mc'-:'ber,  they  shall  expel  such  person  as 
aforesaid,  two-thirds  of  the  members  present  concurring  in  a  vote  for 
that  purpose. 

DUES,  FINES,  AND  FORFEITURES. 

Art.  XIII.  Every  person  subscribing  to  this  constitution  shall  pay 
into  the  hands  of  the  secrctarv  the  sum  of  $2  each;  and  a  monthly  con- 
tribution of  25  cents,  unless  he  shall  have  been  ten  years  a  member  of 
the  society,  or  rendered  incapable  by  sickness  or  otherwise,  in  the  opin- 
ion of  the  society,  to  pay  the  same.  And  if  any  member  shall  neglect  or 
refuse  to  make  his  monthly  pavments  for  three  successive  months,  he 
shall  not  be  entitled  to  vote  upon  any  ciuestion,  or  at  any  election,  to 
hold  any  office  in  the  society,  or  to  receive  any  benefit  therefrom,  until 
such  payment  shall  be  made;  and  if  any  member  shall  be  nine  months 
in  arrears,  for  monthly  dues,  fines,  or  forfeitures,  notice  thereof  shall  be 
given  him  by  the  secretary  of  such  arrearages,  and  if  he  neglects  or  re- 
fuses to  pay  the  same,  _ within  three  months  thereafter,  he  shall  there- 
upon be  expelled:  Provided  ahvays,  That  this  artic'e  shall  in  no  manner 
affect  persons  actually  sick  or  absent  from  the  District. 

All  fines  and  forfeitures  levied  by  the  society,  by  virtue  of  this  con- 
stitution, shall  be  paid  into  the  treasury  for  the  benefit  of  the  society. 
And  if  any  person  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  pay  such  fine  or  forfeiture 
three  months  after  the  same  shall  have  become  due,  the  secretary  shall 
inform  the  president,  who  shall  thereupon  declare  the  fact  to  the  society, 
and  refuse  receiving  his  vote  until  the  same  shall  have  been  paid,  and 
shall,  therefore,  make  no  return,  (if  he  shall  have  been  voted  for,  for 
any  office.)  of  such  votes.  And  in  case  such  fine,  or  forfeiture,  shall  be 
incurred  by  either  of  the  officers,  they  shall  be  liable  to  be  expelled,  two- 
thirds  of  the  society  concurring  in  a  vote  for  that  purpose. 

ALIMONY. 

Art.  XIV.  The  society  may  award  such  sums  to  sickly  or  dis- 
tressed members,  their  widows  and  children,  as  to  them  mav  seem  meet 
and  proper:     Provided,   That  such   sums   shall  not   exceed   $3   per   week. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTKRS 


95 


And  no  person  shall  receive  the  benefit  arising  from  this  article  until  he 
shall  have  been  three  months  a  member  of  this  society,  unless  he  is  a 
Stranger  and  in  absolute  distress. 

And  further,  That  the  sum  of  $15  be  allowed,  from  the  fund*  of 
this  society,  to  the  widow  or  nearest  relative  of  any  deceased  member, 
for  the  purpose  of  defraying  funeral  expenses,  etc. 

BADGE. 

Art.  XV.  Every  member  of  this  society  shall  furnish  him.ielf  with 
a  silver  rule,  of  such  size  and  dimensions  as  may  be  established  by  the 
society;  on  one  [side]  shall  be  engraved  the  member's  name,  and  on  the 
other  a  press;  and  a  golden  rule  shall  be  provided  for  the  president,  for 
the  use  of  him  and  his  successors  in  office,  on  one  side  of  which  shall  be 
engraved  "President  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Sixricty,"  and  on 
the  other  side  a  press,  over  which  shall  be  an  appropriate  motto  to  be 
hereafter  designated  and  expressed  verbatim  by  the  society. 

At  all  processions  of  the  society  the  members  shall  wear  their  badge 
suspended  by  a  blue  ribbon  from  the  second  buttonhole  of  the  coat. 

STATED  MEETINGS. 

Art.  XVI.  A  stated  meeting  of  the  society  shall  be  held  the  first 
Saturday  of  every  month. 

SPECIAL  MEETINGS. 

Art.  XVII.  Special  meetings  of  the  society  shall  be  called  when- 
ever any  five  members  shall  request  the  president  to  call  the  same;  and 
the  president  shall  thereupon  direct  the  secretary  to  notify  the  members 
accordingly. 

CERTIFICATE  OF  MEMBERSHIP. 

Art.  XVIII.  As  soon  as  practicable  after  signing  this  constitution 
the  president  shall  furnish  each  member  with  a  printed  certificate  of 
membership,  in  the  following  words,  signed  by  him  and  attested  by  the 
secretary:  .    ,       .  ,      „     ^ 

Be  it  known,  That  A.  B.  having  complied  with  all  the  provisiotu 
of  our  constitution,  is  hereby  declared  a  member  of  "The  Columbia 
Typographical  Society."  »     t^      - 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  this  —  day  of A.  D.  181 —  at 

the  city  of  Washington,  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 

President. 

Attest: 

Secretary. 

BY-LAWS. 

Art.  I.  Any  member,  duly  elected  to  an  office,  or  appointed  on  a 
committee,  who  shall  refuse  to  serve  therein,  shall  pay  the  sum  of  3$ 
cents;  unless  an  excuse  be  given  and  accepted.  .^^„a 

Art.  II.  No  resignation  of  office  or  membership  shall  be  accepted 
without  notice  in  writing  being  given  thereof,  and  all  dues,  fines,  and 
forfeitures,  if  any,  being  first  paid.  _      .   .  ,  j     •        .u«  — 

Art.   III.    Any   member   who   shall   leave   the   room,   during  the  ses- 
sion of  the  society,  without  leave  from  the  presiding  officer :  or  who  thai 
otherwise  transgress  the  principles  of  decorum,  or  violate  the  n,.i..r»  .ir,.! 
rules  of  order,  in  the  opinion  of  the  chair,  or,  on  appeal,  u.  • 
of  a  majority;  or  who  shall  appear  at  any  meeting  in  a  state 
tion;   or  who  shall   introduce  into  the  society  s   room,   or  ca'j 
troduced,  previous  to  adjournment,  any  drink  other  than  wntrt.   •      ~ -  ; 
shall    in   any   wise   interrupt   the   business   or   harmony  of   such    '^"""•l- 
shall   he   fined,   at  the  discretion   of  a   majority  P^"^"»-. '"»">;,"'"  nrijl 
exceeding   $s,    or    dealt   with    in    any   manner   such   majority   may    thinir 
proper. 


g5  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

RUi.ES  OF  ORDER. 

1.  The  president,  or  in  his  absence,  the  presiding  officer,  shall  de- 
cide all  questions  of  order;  subject,  however,  to  an  appeal  to  the  de- 
cision of  a  majority  of  members  present;  but  any  one  member  may  call 
another  to  order,  subject  in  like  manner  to  the  decision  of  the  chair,  or 
to  an  appeal. 

2.  All  committees  shall  be  appointed  by  the  presiding  officer. 

3.  No  debates  shall  take  place  on  any  subject  or  motion,  which  is 
not  reduced  to  writing. 

4.  All  unfinished  business  shall  be  first  in  order,  unless  otherwise 
directed  by  a  majority  of  votes;  the  standing  order  shall  then  be  the 
proposing  of  new  members,  and  reports  of  committees. 

5.  Any  member  of  the  majority  may  move  for  the  reconsideration 
of  a  subject  on  the  same  or  at  first  stated  meeting  thereafter,  on 
which  the  said  subject  has  been  determined,  but  not  afterwards. 

6.  \\'hen  two  or  more  members  rise  to  speak  at  once,  the  presiding 
officer  shall  name  the  one  to  speak  first. 

7.  No  member  shall  speak  more  than  twice  on  one  subject,  unless 
to  explain,  with  permission  from  the  chair,  in  which  case  he  is  to  con- 
fine himself  strictly  to  such  explanation. 

8.  No  person  shall  be  permitted  to  enter  or  remain  in  the  society's 
room  during  its  session  except   regular  members. 

9.  If  any  petition  or  subject  in  writing  be  ofifered  for  consideration, 
a  committee  shall  (if  deemed  necessary)  be  appointed  to  consider  it  and 
make  report  thereon. 

10.  A  motion  for  adjournment,  or  an  order  for  a  subject  to  he  on 
the  table,  shall  always  be  in  order,  and  be  decided  without  debate. 

11.  The  president,  vice-president,  treasurer,  and  secretary  shall  not 
be  liable  to  serve  on  any  committee. 

12.  All  resolutions,  in  writing,  shall  be  read  first  by  the  person 
oflfering  the  same,  then  to  be  handed  to  the  secretary,  and,  by  hirn,  read 
again;  when  the  question  for  consideration  shall  be  put  by  the  chair,  and 
if  agreed  to  consider  it,  it  shall  then  be  open  for  discussion  and  read  a 
third  time  before  its  final  passage. 

13.  The  president  shall  not  vote  on  any  question  unless  there  be  an 
equality  •£  votes  on  the  same,  in  which  case  he  shall  have  the  casting 
vote. 

14.  The  president  may  give  his  opinion  on  any  question  under  de- 
bate, if  requested;  but  not  otherwise. 

15.  The  presiding  officer  shall,  during  the  hours  of  business,  have 
his  head  uncovered. 

16.  In  debate,  each  member  rising  to  speak,  shall  address  Mr. 
President,"  with  his  head  uncovered,  and  shall  remain  so  until  he  re- 
sumes his  seat. 

17.  Any  rule  or  bv-law,  in  case  of  necessity,  may  be  suspended,  for 
the  time  being,  by  the  concurrence  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present. 

18.  No  member  shall  serve  on  two  committees  at  the  same  time. 


APPENDIX  A,  NO.  3. 

Second    Constitution    of    the    Columbia    Typographical    So- 
ciety,  1818. 

Preamble. — Whereas,  the  formation  of  societies,  for  the  better  se- 
curing and  more  effectually  maintaining  the  privileges  and  prerogatives 
of  any  well-disposed  class  of  men  is  consonant  with,  and  sanctioned  by, 
every  principle  of  justice  and  equity;  And, 

Whereas,  the  association  of  individuals,  for  the  purposes  of  benevo- 
lence, is,  we  have  a  right  to  believe,  approved  by  the  Deity,  while,  it 
meets  with  the  wishes  of  every  liberal-minded  member  of  the  community 
— we,  therefore,  actuated  by  these  motives,  do  unite  ourselves  as  one 
body,  for  the  mutual  benefit  of  each,  binding  ourselves,  one  to  the  other 
in  form  and  manner  following: 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OK    TRINTHRS  o- 

Article  I,  Section  i.  The  society  shall  be  known  and  called  by  the 
name  of  the  "Columbia  Typographical   Society." 

Art.  II,  Section  i.  The  concerns  of  the  society  shall  be  managed 
and  conducted  by  a  president,  vice-president,  treasurer,  and  secretary, 
who  shall  be  chosen  annually — at  the  first  stated  meeting  of  the  society, 
in  the  month  of  January,  each  succeeding  year. 

Art.  Ill,  Section  i.  All  acts  of  the  society  shall  be  in  the  name  of 
the  president,  on  behalf  of  the  "Columbia  TypoRraphical  Society,"  and 
sliall  be  signed  by  tlie  president  for  the  time  being,  attested  by  the  aecre- 
tary. 

Art.  IV,  Section  i.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  president  to  preside 
at  all  stated  and  special  meetings  of  the  society,  and  to  keep  order  there- 
in, and  generally,  to  do  such  things  as  to  his  ofhce  may  of^  right  belong. 

Art.  \',  Section  i.  In  the  absence  of  the  president,  or  in  case  of 
his  disability,  death,  or  resignation,  the  vice-president  shall  preside,  until 
the  removal  if  such  disabilitv,  or  another  person  shall  be  elected  to  fill 
such  vacancy;  and,  in  case  of  the  absence,  disability,  death,  or  resigna- 
tion, of  both  the  president  and  vice-president,  then  the  members  present 
shall  proceed  to  appoint  a  president  pro  tem. 

Art.  \'I,  Section  i.  In  case  of  the  death,  resignation,  or  disabilitv 
of  the  vice-president,  secretary,  or  treasurer,  the  presiding  officer  shall 
give  notice  thereof;  and,  an  election  to  fill  the  vacancy  thus  occasioned 
shall  be  held  at  the  first  monthly  meeting  after  such  notice  shall  have 
been  made  known.  And,  in  all  cases  where  an  election  to  fill  such  va- 
cancy docs  not  take  place  at  the  time  above  specified,  it  shall  he  e<iually 
binding  if  it  takes  place  at  the  next  meeting  thereafter;  and  the  pers<in 
then  elected  shall  hold  his  oflfice  till  the  expiration  of  the  term  to  which 
his  predecessor  was  appointed. 

Art.  \TI.  Section  i.  The  secretary  shall  regularly  attend  at  all 
stated  and  special  meetings  of  the  society;  shall  keep  exact  and  plain 
minutes  of  their  proceedings;  collect  all  dues,  fines  and  forfeiture*  of 
the  members;  and.  generally,  do  and  transact  all  and  every  such  business 
as  the  societv  mav  deem  meet  and  proper. 

Sec.  2.  All  moneys  collected  by  the  secretary  by  virtue  of  this  ar- 
ticle, shall  be  immediately  delivered  over  to  the  treasurer,  (in  the  pres- 
ence of  tlie  presiding  officer.)  and  his  receipt  t.-.ken  therefor;  which  shall 
be  entered  in  a  book  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose.  In  the  absence  of 
the  treasurer,  he  shall  receipt  for  all  such  moneys  to  the  presiding  of- 
ficer. . 

Art.  VIII,  Section  i.  The  treasurer,  before  entering  upon  the  du- 
ties  of  his  office,  shall  give  bond  to  the  president  in  the  name  of  the  Co- 
lumbia Tvpographical  Society,  with  such  security  as  may  be  approved  by 
the  society,  thereby  promising  that  the  amount  of  the  moneys  which  may 
be  in  his  hands,  belonging  to  the  society,  shall  be  refunded  on  his  death, 
resignation,  or  removal  from  office,  and,  in  all  cases  where  the  person 
elected  to  fill  the  office  of  treasurer,  shall  refuse  or  neglect  to  Rye  bond 
with  security,  as  aforesaid,  the  treasurer,  for  the  time  being,  shall  hold 
the  office,  until  another  person  is  chosen  who  will  comply  with  the  afore- 
going terms.  .         n   j   „ 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  to  receive  all  du«. 
fines  and  forfeitures,  collected  by  the  secretary,  for  the  use  of  the  so- 
ciety, and  to  give  a  receipt  therefor;  to  keep  exact  and  true  accounts  ol 
all  monevs  so  received,  and  of  his  expenditures;  and  he  shall  make  no 
disburseriients  unless  authorized  so  to  do  by  a  majority  ol  the  socifiy. 
under  a  warrant  of  the  president.  And,  on  his  disability,  resignation,  or 
the  expiration  of  his  term  ot  service,  he  shall  deliver  over  to  his  suc- 
cessor, in  the  presence  of  the  society,  all  the  moneys  and  .»""""«''"  ^.^ 
possession,  belonging  to  the  society,  under  pain  of  forfeiting  "".P*"*"J 
of  his  bond.  In  case  of  the  death  of  the  treasurer,  then  the  receipu  and 
accounts  of  the  secretary  shall  be  sufficient  vouchers.  „.^:„,  -f 

Sec.  3.  A  committee  shall  be  appointed  at  every  «»»"'''. '"'!''"«  "' 
the  society  in  the  month  of  December,  to  audit  the  treasurer  s  ^»  '"»^ 
and  make  report  of  the  state  thereof  to  the  society:  ^''^,''''|  .^'i;^* 
society  may  at  any  time,  when,  in  the  opinion  of  a  majority  "JJ"'^ 
bers,  It  shall  be  expedient,  cause  the  treasurer  to  make  out  and  prrM-m 


g8  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

a  true  and  just  account  of  his  receipts  and  expenditures,  and  of  the 
amount  of  cash  in  his  hands. 

Art.  IX,  Section  i.  Any  person  desirous  of  joining  this  society, 
shall  make  application  to  a  member  thereof;  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to 
make  known  such  application  to  the  society;  with  the  applicant's  pre- 
tensions to  membership;   which  shall  lie  on   the  table  one  month. 

Sec.  2.  Such  applicant  being  introduced  at  tlie  next  stated  meeting 
of  the  society,  the  presiding  officer  shall  put  to  him  interrogatories,  as, 
in  his  opinion,  may  be  meet  and  proper;  and,  if  he  has  served  an  ap- 
prenticeship to  the -satisfaction  of  the  society,  and  the  investigation  be 
otherwise  favorable,  the  meeting  shall  then  proceed  to  ballot  for  such 
candidate;  and  a  majority  of  the  members  present  agreeing  to  his  ad- 
mission  he  shall  be  declared  duly  elected  a  member  of  the  society. 

Art.  X,  Section  i.  Every  person,  on  subscribing  to  this  constitu- 
tion, shall  assent  to  the  following  declaration,  which  shall  be  adminis- 
tered by  the  presiding  officer:     You ,   do  solemnly   pledge 

your  word  that  you  will  conform  to,  and  support,  the  constitution  and 
by-laws  laid  down  for  the  government  of  this  society;  that  you  will,  at 
all  times,  procure  employment  for  a  member  of  this  society,  in  prefer- 
ence to  any  other  person  and  that  you  will  not  divulge  their  proceedings 
required  to  be  kept  secret. 

Sec.  2.  Before  the  president,  vice-president,  secretary  or  treasurer, 
enter    on    their   duties,    they    shall    assent    to    the    following    declaration: 

You ,   do  pledge  your  honor,  that  you  will  to  the  best  of 

your   ability,   discharge  the  duties   devolving  on   you   as  of  this 

society. 

Art.  XI,  Section  i.  Every  person,  on  subscribing  to  this  constitu- 
tion shall  pay  into  the  hands  of  the  secretary  the  sum  of  $2  each;  and 
a  monthly  contribution  of  25  cents  each  shall  be  assessed  and  required  of 
every  member  of  this  society,  until  he  shall  have  been  ten  years  a  mem- 
ber, or  except  he  be  rendered  incapable,  from  sickness,  or  some  other 
cause,  in  the  opinion  of  the  society  to  pay  the  same;  or  unless  herein- 
after otherwise  provided.  And,  if  any  member  shall  neglect  to  make  his 
monthly  payments  for  three  successive  months,  or  shall  at  any  time, 
when  requested,  refuse  to  pay  the  same,  he  shall  not  be  entitled  to  vote 
upon  any  question,  or  at  any  election;  to  hold  an  office  in  the  society,  or 
to  receive  benefit  therefrom,  until  such  payments  shall  be  made. 

Sec.  2.  All  fines  and  forfeitures,  levied  by  this  society,  by  virtue  of 
this  constitution,  shall  be  paid  into  the  treasury,  for  the  benefit  of  the 
society.  And  if  any  person  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  pay  such  fine  or 
forfeiture,  three  months  after  the  same  shall  have  become  due,  the  sec- 
retary shall  inform  the  president,  who  shall  thereupon  declare  the  fact  to 
the  society,  and  refuse  receiving  his  vote,  upon  anv  question,  until  the 
same  shall  have  been  paid;  and  shall,  likewise,  make  no  return  (if  he 
shall  have  been  voted  for  to  any  office)  of  such  votes.  And  in  case  such 
fine  or  forfeiture  shall  be  incurred  by  either  of  the  officers;  they  shall 
be  liable  to  be  expelled;  two-thirds  of  the  society  concurring  in  a  vote 
for  that  purpose. 

Sfc.  3.  Should  any  member  be  nine  months  in  arrears,  for  monthly 
dues,  fines,  or  forfeitures,  notice  thereof  shall  be  given  him  by  the  sec- 
retary, of  such  arrearages;  and  if  he  neglects  or  refuses  to  pay  the 
same,  within  three  months  thereafter,  he  shall,  thereupon,  be  ex- 
pelled: Provided,  ahmys.  That  such  part  of  this  article  as  relates  to  ex- 
pulsion, shall,  in  no  manner,  aftect  persons  actually  sick  or  absent  from 
the  District. 

Art.  XII,  Section  i.  Any  member  of  this  society,  who  shall  here- 
after leave  the  District,  shall  provide  himself  with  a  certificate  of  honor- 
able membership;  under  hand  of  the  president,  attested  by  the  secre- 
tary; and  shall,  (if  he  join  a  similar  association  during  his  absence)  on 
his  return,  be  exonerated  from  paying  all  and  every  due,  fine  or  for- 
feiture, which  might  otherwise  have'  been  incurred;  and  shall  be  entitled 
to  all  privileges  and  immunities  which  he  would  have  been;  had  he  not 
left  the  society  as  aforesaid;  provided,  he.  on  his  return,  produce  a  cer- 
tificate of  uniform  correct  conduct  from  the  president  of  an  association, 
as  aforesaid,  while  a  member  thereof. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  ^ 

Sec.  2.  But  should  a  member  leave  the  District  in  any  other  man- 
ner than  as  before  specified,  and,  on  his  return,  w!sh  again  to  join  the 
association,  he  shall  be  charged  with  his  monthly  dues,  for  and  during 
the  time  he  has  been  absent,  unless,  in  the  opinion  of  a  majority  of  the 
members  of  this  society,  after  an  investigation  by  a  committee  appumtcd 
for  that  purpose,  he  be  considered  unable  to  pay  the  same:  I'ro^xdtd, 
That  in  this  last  instance,  he  pay  the  amount  of  the  initiation  fee  re- 
quired by  the  preceding  article  of  this  constitution:  And,  proxided. 
further,  That  this  article  shall  in  no  manner  affect  such  persons  as  have 
been  ten  years  a  member  of  this  society:  or,  having  obtained  a  certificate 
from  this  association,  as  above  prescribed,  may  have  resided  where  a 
similar  society  did  not  exist. 

Art.  XIII,  Section  i.  Such  members  as  are  charged  with  having 
forfeited  their  seats  from  a  violation  of  the  constitution,  by-laws  or  regu- 
lations of  this  society  shall  have  one  month's  notice  given  them  of  such 
charge  by  the  president,  to  enable  them  to  make  their  defense;  which  not 
being  made  at  the  next  monthly  meeting  of  the  society,  or.  being  made 
and  not  deemed  satisfactory,  the  society  shall  expel  any  such  person,  two- 
thirds  of  the  members  present  concurring  in  a  vote  for  that  purpose. 

Art.  XI\',  Section  i.  The  society  may  award  such  sums  to  sickly 
or  distressed  members,  their  widows  or  children,  upon  representation  be- 
ing made  by  two  or  more  members  of  the  necessity  therefor,  as,  in  their 
opinion,  may  be  meet  and  proper:  Provided,  That  such  sums  shall  not 
exceed  $5  per  week;  and  no  person  shall  receive  the  benefit  arising  from 
this  article,  until  he  shall  have  been  three  months  a  member  of  tnis  so- 
ciety, unless  he  is   in  absolute  distress. 

Sec.  2.  And  further.  That  the  sum  of  $20  be  allowed,  from  the 
funds  of  the  society,  to  the  widow  or  nearest  relative,  of  any  deceased 
member:  Provided,  It  shall  appear  upon  proper  investigation,  they  shall 
stand  in  need  thereof;  for  the  purpose  of  defraying  funeral  expenses,  etc. 

Art.  X\',  Section  i.  A  quorum  of  the  society  shall  consist  o( 
eight  members,  at  all  stated  or  special  meetings;  but,  no  money  belong- 
ing to  the  society  shall  be  appropriated  unless  sanctioned  by  six  of  said 
eight  members,  if  there  shall  not  be  more  than  eight  present:  Prmjidtd. 
however.  That  if  there  shall  be  more  than  eight  present,  a  majority  of 
two-thirds  thereof,  shall  be  necessary  to  make  an  appropriation. 

Art.  XVI.  Section  i.  A  stated  meeting  of  the  society  shall  be  held 
on  the  first  Saturday  of  everv  month. 

Art.  XVII,  Section  i.  Special  meetings  of  the  society  shall  be 
called  whenever  any  five  members  shall  re(iuest  the  president  to  call  the 
same;  and  the  president  shall  thereupon  direct  the  secretary  to  notify 
the  members  accordingly.  ... 

Art.  XVIII,  Section  i.  Additional  to  this  constitution,  the  society 
shall  make  all  necessary  by-laws  and  rules  for  its  better  government: 
Provided,  That  the  provisions  of  this  constitution  be  not  affected  thereby. 

Art.  XIX,  Section  i.  As  soon  as  practicable  after  signing  thi» 
constitution,  the  president  shall  furnish  each  member  with  a  printed 
certificate  of  membership,  under  the  society's  seal,  in  the  following 
words,  signed  by  him,  and  attested  by  the  secretary:     ,..,,,  ^ 

Sec.  2.  Be  it  known,  that  A.  B.  having  complied  with  all  the  pro- 
visions of  our  constitution,  is  hereby  declared  a  member  of  the  Colum- 
bia Tvpographical  Society.  ,     ,  .  .       ..  •  j.«  „# 

Given   under  our  hand  and  the  seal  of  the  society.  Jhiis^ —rtay^ol 

rfttJtml. 


"vpographical  Society.  .  .  . 

Given   under   our   hand  and  the  seal   of  the  society,   this 
— ,    181 — ,  at  the  city  of  Washington,  in  the  District  ol 


Attest: 


-,  SeCTftary. 


Art.  XX,  Section  t.  No  alteration  or  amendment  »»>»"  ^  "^^'^ 
this  constitution,  unless  four-fifths  of  the  memlKrrs  P'"*"'-  ',X"/ 
therein;  nor  then,  unless  all  motions  to  that  effect  lie  over  for  consider. 
tion  one  month. 

Washington  City,  April  4.   >8i8. 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


APPENDIX  A,  NO.  4. 

Outline  of  Constitution  of  the  Baltimore  Typographical  So- 
ciety, Adopted  June  2,  1832, 

The  Baltimore  Typographical  Society  (second  organization  \yith  the 
same  name)  was  organized  November  26,  1831.  The  constitution  was 
not  adopted  until  June  2,   1832.     It  was,  in  outline,  as  follows: 

Preamble — We,  the  subscribers,  members  of  the  Baltimore  Typo- 
graphical Society,  in  order  to  form  a  union  among  ourselves,  to  preserve 
regularity  and  decorum  in  our  proceedings,  to  awaken  and  reward  emu- 
lation in  our  brethren,  in  the  art  and  mystery  of  printing,  to  guard 
against  those  extremities  of  sickness  and  sorrow,  to  which,  without  any 
fault  of  our  own,  we  are,  nevertheless,  (from  the  infirmity  of  our  com- 
mon nature),  daily  and  hourly  subject,  and  to  secure,  after  our  depar- 
ture from  this  world,  some  little  provision  for  our  widows  and  orphans, 
or  others,  endeared  to  us  by  the  interesting  ties  of  blood  or  affinity,  do 
enact,  declare,  and  establish  the  following  as  our  constitution  and  future 
rules  of  government. 

Article  I  states  that  "this  society  shall  be  known  and  called  by  the 
name  of  the  Baltimore  Typographical  Society." 

The  territorial  limits  of  its  jurisdiction  are  not  specified,  as  they  are 
in  other  documents. 

The  usual  list  of  officers  are  provided  for  and  their  duties  defined, 
the  only  difference  being  that  this  society  had  a  preference  for  official 
committees  rather  than  individuals,  such  as  a  "committee  of  correspond- 
ence" of  three,  a  "visiting  committee"  of  five  members.  The  powers  of 
the  president  were  somewhat  greater  than  in  most  of  these  societies,  and 
point  toward  subsequent  developments  in  later  unions  along  this  line. 
Article  III  of  the  constitution  says: 

Section  i.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  president  to  preside,  and 
preserve  order  and  decorum  at  all  meetings  of  the  society;  to  silence 
disorderly  debate,  govern  the  transactions  of  all  business  appertaining 
thereto,  and  give  a  casting  vote  on  any  question  which  can  not  other- 
wise be  decided;  he  shall  have  full  power  to  call  special  meetings;  sign 
all  orders  on  the  treasurer,  and  perform  all  other  duties  required  by  the 
constitution  and  by-laws. 

Sec.  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  visiting  committee  to  receive 
and  act  upon  all  applications  for  relief,  visit  the  sick  members,  etc., 
check  on  the  treasurer  for  the  amount  of  aid,  necessarily  and  constitu- 
tionally, to  be  afforded,  which  shall  be  indorsed  by  the  president  and 
secretary  before  payment  (subject  always  to  deductions  for  dues,  fines 
and  forfeitures),  with  all  other  duties  devolving  upon  them  as  a  visiting 
committee,  and  make  report  of  their  whole  proceedings  at  the  next 
stated  meeting. 

The  secretary  was  "exonerated  from  the  payment  of  monthly  dues, 
and  allowed  50  cents  for  each  meeting."  However,  "if  the  secretary 
shall  absent  himself  from  a  meeting  of  this  society,  without  being  pre- 
vented by  sickness  of  himself,  or  death  in  his  family,  he  shall  forfeit 
his  monthly  remuneration  and  an  additional  sum  of  25  cents;  and  if  he 
does  not  send  the  books,  then  he  shall  be  amerced  in  a  sum  of  50  cents 
for  such  omission  of  duty  in  addition  to  the  first-named  sums." 

The  initiation  fee  prescribed  by  the  Baltimore  society  was  $3,  and 
monthly  dues  25  cents,  with  a  forfeiture  of  membership  when  arrear- 
ages amounted  to  $1.50,  unless  the  member  was  sick  or  absent  from  the 
city.  Payment  of  dues  for  fifteen  years  made  one  a  "free"  member. 
Honorary  membership  for  life  could  be  secured  for  $5,  but  carried  with 
it  only  the  right  to  attend  the  meetings  and  vote  for  regular  officers.  It 
does  not  seem  to  have  been  necessary  even  to  have  been  a  printer  in  or- 
der to  secure  honorary  membership.  The  qualifications  for  membership 
are  declared  by  Article  VI: 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  iqi 

The  indispensable  qualifications  of  all  persons  hereafter  admitted 
as  members  cf  this  society  are,  a  good  moral  character,  industriou* 
hafcits,  and  a  practical  knowledge  of  the  art  and  mystery  of  letierpres* 
printing,  having  acquired  the  same  by  an  apprenticeship  of  it  least  four 

years,  during  minority. 

ADMISSION   OF   MKMBKRS. 

Art.  VII.  Any  person  desirous  of  becoming  a  member  of  this  so- 
ciety may  make  application  through  any  member  thereof,  whose  duly  it 
shall  be  to  make  known  such  application  to  the  society,  which  applica- 
tion may,  if  not  otherwise  determined,  lie  over  until  the  next  stated 
meeting,  when  the  society  shall,  if  deemed  expedient,  proceed  to  ballot 
for  the  candidate;  and  if  two-thirds  of  the  voters  present  agree  to  hi« 
admission,  he  shall  be  declared  by  the  presiding  officer  to  be  dulv  elected. 

Sec.  2.  No  proposition  for  membership  shall  be  considered  as  be- 
fore the  society,  nor  to  be  acted  upon,  until  the  applicant's  pretentions 
shall  have  been  stated  by  the  member  or  members  proposing  and  recom- 
mending him. 

DECLARATION  OF  MEMBERS. 

Art.  VIII.  Every  person  to  be  regularly  admitted  a  member  of 
this  society  shall  accede  to  the  following  declaration: 

You, ■ —   ,    do    hereby   pledge   your   honor,    that   you    will 

conform  to  all  the  rules  and  regulations  established  by  the  constitution 
and  by-laws  of  the  Baltimore  Typographical  Society;  that  you  will,  on 
all  occasions,  procure  employment  for  a  member  of  this  society  in  pref- 
erence to  any  other  person;  that  you  will  encourage,  as  far  as  in  your 
power,  a  friendly  feeling  among  the  members;  discountenance  all  vice 
and  immorality  in  them;  and,  as  far  as  may  be,  endeavor  by  your  ac- 
tions and  counsel,  to  urge  in  the  members,  generally,  a  spirit  of  industry 
and  fidelity — to  the  end.  that  the  membership  of  this  society,  of  which 
you  [are]  becoming  a  member,  may  be  the  best  recommendation  to  em- 
ployment, and  the  highest  assurance  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  all  con- 
fidence and  trust  reposed  in  you;  and  you  also  pledge  yourself  not  to 
divulge  any  of  the  proceedings  of  your  brethren  in  this  society. 

Article  X  is  devoted  to  "trials  and  expulsions."  Sections  3,  4  and  s 

follow: 

Sec.  3.  Any  attempt  by  a  member  to  deprive  another  of  member- 
ship, or  good  standing  in  the  society  by  bringing  false  charges  against  a 
member  before  the  society,  with  evidently  malicious  intent,  shall,  on 
trial  and  conviction  by  the  society,  be  punished  by  a  fine — in  a  sum  of 
not  less  than  $1,  nor  more  than  $5 — suspension,  or  expulsion,  as  the.  so- 
ciety may  determine,  by  a  majority  present. 

Sec.  4.  Frequent  intoxication,  gross  immorality,  needless  and  fre- 
quent neglect  of  business,  so  that  his  employer  is  seriously  injured,  or 
the  member's  family  thereby  reduced  to  a  state  of  suffering,  shall,  upon 
information  and  conviction  by  the  society,  be  punished  with  suipension 
or  deprivation  of  membership,  as  the  oflfcnse  may  he:  all  mieslions  of 
suspension  or  deprivation  of  membership  shall  be,  without  debate  of  pro- 
priety, in  all  cases,  by  ballot,  and  a  majority  of  legal  voters  present  nec- 
essary to  decide  on  such  questions.  .  . 

Sec.  5.  Any  member  guilty  of  an  evasion  of  the  provwions  ol  this 
constitution,  by-laws,  or  list  of  prices,  for  the  purpose  of  working  for  a 
less  sum  than  is  therein  determined;  taking  a  boy  to  leach  him  prwa- 
work  for  less  than  his  services  for  thirteen  weeks,  or  half  his  « a  ires  lor 
twenty-six  weeks,  if  by  the  piece — or  if  by  the  week  te.ich  him  f.r  »  \em 
sum  than  $26,  or  $1  per  week  for  twenty-six  weeks;  pri«:ure  the  dis- 
charge of  a  member  from  an  office  upon  a  false  accusation,  or  injure  the 
interests  of  his  employer  by  revealing  the  secrets  of  the  office,  unnec«- 
sarily,  shall,  upon  conviction,  be  deemed  expelled  by  the  society. 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


FORFEIT  OF  MEMBERSHIP. 

Art.  XI.  No  member,  under  forfeit  of  membership,  shall  work  in 
an  office  where  a  boy,  not  an  origmal  apprentice  of  that  office,  is  em- 
ployed for  less  than  the  i.st  of  prices  demands,  unless  the  boy,  so  em- 
ployed, is  under  17  years  of  age,  or  shall  have  come  from  an  office,  the 
proprietor  of  which  shall  have  deceased  or  declined  business;  nor  shall 
any  member,  under  the  same  forfeiture,  work  in  an  office  where  any  per- 
son or  persons  are  employed  for  less  than  the  list  of  prices  calls  for. 

FORM  OF  CERTIFICATE. 

Art.  XIY.  Any  member,  on  leaving  the  city,  shall,  upon  applica- 
tion, have  a  certificate  of  membership,  bearing  date  at  the  period  given, 
siirned  by  the  president  and  attested  by  the  secretary  (or  in  the  case  of 
the  death,  absence  from  the  city,  or  resignation  of  the  president,  signed 
by  the  vice-president),  if  it  shall  appear  by  the  books  of  the  society  that 
all  arrears  are  paid  up,  and  no  charges  of  improper  conduct  are  pend- 
ing against  him,  m  the  manner  following: 

City  of  Baltimore,  ,   18 — . 

This  is  to  certify  that  at  a  meeting  of  the  Baltimore   Typographical 

Society,   held  of  the  —  day  of  ,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 

, was  regularly  admitted  a  member  of  the  society, 

and  is  recommended  to  the  typographical   societies  throughout  the  coun- 
try,  and   to   printers   generally.      Given   under    our   hand,    at   the    city   of 

Baltimore,  in  the  state  of  Maryland,  this  —  day  of  ,  one  thousand 

eight  hundred  and  ;  and  in  the  year  of  the  institution  of 

the  society. 

,   President. 

Attest.  ,  Secretary. 

BENEFITS. 

Art.  XV.  Any  person  after  being  one  year  a  member  of  this 
society,  shall  be  entitled,  upon  written  application,  to  receive  the  sum 
of  $2.50  per  week,  during  his  indisposition,  whilst  so  much  remains  in 
the  funds:  Provided,  His  sickness  does  not  arise  from  immoral  con- 
duct; but  he  shall  not  be  entitled  to  any  support  for  such  affliction,  un- 
less the  application  be  made  during  the  time  of  its  continuance;  and 
the  visiting  committee  shall,  in  no  case,  pay  any  member's  claim  for 
time  elapsed,  more  than  one  week  previous  to  application.  The  visiting 
committee  shall  have  a  discretionary  power,  and  may  require  the  aid  of 
a  physician,  in  all  cases  of  doubt  as  to  the  capability  of  any  member  to 
attend  to  his  usual  business. 

Sec.  2.  At  the  death  of  any  member  of  this  society  (after  having 
been  one  year  a  member)  the  sum  of  $,^0  shall  be  allowed  by  the  society 
for  defraying  his  funeral  expenses;  and,  each  and  every  member  of  the 
society  shall  pay  into  the  hands  of  the  secretary,  at  the  next  stated 
meeting,  the  sum  of  $1,  as  an  extra  contribution,  towards  replenishing 
the  funds. 

"Sec.  3.  On  the  death  of  any  member  of  this  society  who  has  not 
been  twelve  months  a  member,  the  sum  of  $15  shall  be  paid  toward  de- 
fraying his  funeral  charges;  and,  at  the  next  stated  meeting  of  the  so- 
ciety, an  extra  contribution  of  50  cents  shall  be  paid  by  each  and  every 
member  to  replenish  the  funds. 

Sec.  4.  The  society  shall  attend  the  funeral  of  all  deceased 
members. 

FEIGNING   SICKNESS. 

Art.  XVI.  Should  any  member  feign  himself  sick  or  disabled,  for 
the  purpose  of  deriving  benefits  from  this  society,  or  while  he  is  deriv- 
ing benefits  therefrom,  such  member  shall  be  expelled  the  society,  and 
forfeit  all  rights  therein. 


EARLY    ORGAXIZATIONS    OF    I'KINTKK.-  ,y^ 

RECEIVING  MEMI'.ERS  FROM  OTHER  SOCIETIES, 

Art.  XVIII.  Any  person  presenting  a  certificate  of  membership 
from  any  other  typographical  society  to  this,  shall  be  entitled  to  a 
seat  as  a  member,  and  enjoy  all  the  benefits  of  this  society,  it  the  s... 
ciety  from  which  he  comes  reciprocates  the  same  privilege 

Article  3  of  the  by-laws  of  the  Baltimore  society  says: 

Art.  3.  All  members  absent  from  a  stated  or  adjourned  stated 
meeting,  when  the  roll  is  called,  shall  be  fined  b'A  cents;  and,  if  abwnt 
from  the  meeting  during  the  whole  evening,  to  be  fined  25  cents — and 
no  exoneration  from  payment  by  any  excuse,  except  confinement  by 
sickness. 

APPENDIX  A,  NO.  5. 

Outline  of  Constitution  of  the  New  York  Typographical  Asso- 
ciation of  June,  1831,  as  Amended  in  1833. 

An  outline  of  the  constitution  of  the  New  York  Typographical 
Association  of  June  1831,  as  revised  and  amended  in  1833,  is  here 
given.  This  is  not  intended  as  an  outline  in  the  ordinary  sense,  for 
the  portions  of  the  constitution  having  a  bearing  on  subsequent  devel- 
opments are  given  in  full.  Only  matter  that  is  of  a  merely  antiquarian 
interest  is  omitted. 

The  preamble  of  the  constitution  states  that  "The  journeymen 
printers  of  the  city  of  New  York,  with  a  view  to  elevate  the  character 
and  advance  the  interest  of  the  profession,  by  maintaining  a  just  and 
uniform  scale  of  prices  for  their  labor,  do  hereby  resolve  to  form  them- 
selves into  a  society  under  the  name  of  the  Typographical  Association 
of  New  York,  and  do  enact  for  their  government,  the  following  consti- 
tution and  by-laws:" 

Section   i   of  Article  I  states: 

Section  i.  The  jurisdiction  of  this  association  shall  embrace  the 
city  of  New  York  and  the  villages  of  Brooklyn,  Jersey  City.  William*- 
burg  and  Hoboken. 

The   articles   defining  the   officers   and   their   duties   do   not   require 
special    notice,   beyond   the   mention   that    the    fiscal   affairs   and    general 
management   of   the   association    were   delegated   to   a   board   of   director* 
consisting  of  twelve  members,  divided  into  four  classes,  the  entire  num- 
ber of  one   class  to  be  retired   and  their  successors  elected  each   month. 
This   made  a   four-months'   tenure  of  office   for  each  director,   thouRh  he 
changed  his  class  each   month,  and  each   month  three  new  men  came  in, 
except  that   members  were   not   deemed   ineligible   for  re-election,   ••«••.■ 
member    going   out    of   office   in    the    fourth   class   might   bo    ro  c'rcr,  J   m 
the   first  class.     The  secretary's   salary   was  to  be  a  sum 
$20  per  annum  to  be  regulated  by  the  board,  and  be  exr- 
payment   of  monthly   dues."      In   case   he   neglected   to   at' 
of  the  association  he  was  to  be  "fined   in  a  sum   not  exci  • 
for  each  delinquency,  to  be  deducted  from   his  yearly  salnry  i;..    •  > m^ 

itor,  or  doorkeeper  was  also  exempt  from  monthly  dues  an<l  t"  be 
awarded  a  salary  by  the  board  of  directors,  but  within  a  constitutional 
limit  of  "$6  per  annum."  The  treasurer  must  never  have  to  excer^ 
"$15  of  the  funds  of  the  association"  in  his  nossession  at  one  time:  all 
over  this  to  be  deposited  in  "the  savings  bank  '  subject  only  to  the  order 
of  the  board  of  directors.  ......  -•        .•     1  u,  .:i^  1   .„ 

Each  officer-elect  on  assuming  his  office  affirmatively  subKfibcd  to 
the  following: 

Do  vou  solemnly  declare  that  you  will,  to  the  betit  of  yo« »'.•*';'•*][ 
execute  'the   office   of  ?     That   you   will   support   the   cnM.tui.oo 


104  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

of  this  association,  and  all  by-laws  founded  thereon?  And  that  you 
will  act  in  this  capacity  for  the  general  benefit  of  the  members  thereof, 
when  opportunity  offers  or  occasion  requires? 

No  member  in  arrearage  for  dues  or  fines  to  the  extent  of  I2j4 
cents  or  who  had  not  been  a  member  six  months  was  eligible  for  elec- 
tion to  any  office.  The  initiation  fee  was  $1.50,  50  cents  of  which 
must  accompany  the  application  for  membership,  the  balance  paid  on 
night  of  election  to  membership.  The  monthly  dues  were  12%  cents, 
until  this  amounted  to  $20,  when  the  party  so  paying  was  to  be  consid- 
ered "a  free  member." 

Then,  as  now,  the  pledge  of  the  initiate  bound  him  not  only  to  de- 
mand the  scale  while  working  as  a  journeyman,  but  to  pay  it  should  he 
ever  become  an  employing  printer.  Article  4,  covering  the  subject  of 
membership  is  in  full,  as  follows: 

Article  IV. — Election  and  initiation  of  members. 

Section  i.  Applications  for  admission  into  this  association  must 
be  made  to  the  board  of  directors,  either  personally  or  through  any 
member  of  this  association.  The  applicant  must  first  deposit,  or  cause 
to  be  deposited  in  the  hands  of  the  secretary,  the  sum  of  50  cents,  upon 
which  the  board  shall  take  his  request  into  consideration;  and  if  it 
shall  satisfactorily  appear  that  he  is  a  regular  journeyman  printer,  of 
the  age  of  21  years,  and  not  working  for  less  than  the  prices  established 
by  this  association,  the  results  of  such  inquiries  shall  be  reported  to  the 
next  meeting. 

Sec.  2.  A  person  favorably  reported  to  the  association  shall  be  bal- 
loted for,  and  the  votes  of  three-fourths  of  the  members  present  shall 
entitle  him  to  admission;  when,  having  signed  the  constitution,  and 
paid  the  additional  sum  of  $1,  he  shall  be  entitled  to  a  certificate  of 
membership. 

Sec.  3.  Candidates  who  do  not  come  forward  within  three  months 
after  being  notified  of  their  election,  shall  forfeit  their  deposit  money, 
unless  a  satisfactory  excuse  for  the  delay  be  rendered.  Should  a  candi- 
date be  rejected,  his  deposit  shall   be  returned. 

Sec.  4.  Newly  elected  members  of  this  association  shall  be  intro- 
duced by  the  individuals  who  first  proposed  them  to  the  board  of  di- 
rectors, or  such  other  suitable  person,  or  persons,  as  may  be  designated 
by  the  chair.  The  members  of  the  association  will  rise  on  the  entrance 
of  the  candidate  and  remain  standing  until  he  be  conducted  to  the  pre- 
siding officer,   who  shall  address  him   as  follows: 

"Sir— I  have  the  pleasure  of  informing  you  that  you  have  been 
elected  a  member  of  the  Typographical  Association  of  New  York.  Be- 
fore your  name  is  added  to  the  roll,  it  is  my  duty  to  ask,  Do  you  un- 
derstand the  objects  of  this  association?  Will  you,  both  as  a  journey- 
man and  an  employing  printer,  support  the  constitution  and  scale  of 
prices  of  this  association,  and  all  by-laws  founded  thereon?  Will  you 
attend  all  meetings  of  this  association,  and  embrace  every  proper  occa- 
sion to  promote  its  reputation  and  enhance  its  prosperity?  And  where 
your  influence  is  desired  by  individuals  of  the  profession,  and  their 
claims  as  workmen  are  equal,  always  give  the  preference  to  members  of 
this  association? 

"As  your  answers  are  satisfactory  and  trusting  that  you  will  ever 
bear  in  mind  the  principles  upon  which  this  association  is  founded,  I 
now  tender  to  you  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  As  an  earnest  of  the 
sincerity  of  the  declarations  you  have  just  made,  you  will  sign  this  con- 
stitution, which  defines  your  rights  and  duties." 

The  older  typographical  society  of  New  York  admitted  both  em- 
ployers and  employes  in  the  industry.  Indeed  this  seems  to  have  been 
the  real  source  of  its  undoing  as  a  labor  organization  and  the  securing 
of  a  charter  which  prohibited  it  from   interfering  with   rates   of  wages. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATION'S    OF    PRINTERS  ,05 

The  Typographical  Association   provides  against  splitting  upon   this   rock 
by  section  2  of  Article  \',  which  says: 

Sec.  2.  Any  member  of  this  association  who  shall  establish  the 
printing  business  on  his  own  account,  will  forfeit  his  title  to  membership; 
but  in  event  of  his  again  becoming  a  journeyman,  he  shall  be  entitled  to 

all  his  former  rights  and  privileges. 

Other  important  articles,  covering  the  matter  of  relief,  containing 
the  germs  of  the  "strike-fund"  idea,  "out-of-work  benefiu,"  and  esub- 
lishing  the  "chapel,"  are  the  following: 

Article  Xl. — Of  the  funds. 

Section  i.  The  funds  shall  not  be  appropriated  to  any  other  pur- 
pose than  to  defray  the  necessary  expenses  of  the  association,  and  the 
pecuniary  relief  of  its  members.  In  no  case  shall  the  allowance  to 
members  exceed  $3  per  week  to  single  men,  and  $4  to  married  men,  and 
the  board  of  directors  shall  determine  the  right  of  applicants  to  the 
per  week  allowar.ce  specified  in  this  section. 

Sec.  2.  Any  member  who  may  be  thrown  out  of  employment  in 
consequence  of  not  obtaining  a  price  for  his  labor  that  shall  be  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  scale  and  having  a  certificate  to  that  cflfcct  from  the 
"father  of  the  chapel,"  in  the  office  wliere  he  was  last  employed,  shall 
be  entitled  to  the  weekly  relief  specified  in  the  preceding  section  while 
he  shall  remain  unemployed;  but,  if  it  shall  satisfactorily  appear  that 
he  makes  no  effort  to  obtain  another  situation  or  refuses  honorable 
employment  when  offered  him,  and  continues  to  draw  from  the  treasury, 
his  weekly  allowance  shall  be  immediately  stopped,  and  his  claim  on 
the  funds  be  suspended  for  the  term  of  six  months. 

Sec.  3.  No  member  shall  be  entitled  to  the  weekly  allowance 
above  specified,  who  may  be  in  arrears  for  fines  or  dues,  exceeding  the 
amount  of  50  cents. 

Sec.  4.  Any  sum  that  may  be  earned  hy  a  member  during  the 
week  that  he  receives  pecuniary  relief,  shall  be  deducted  from  his 
weekly  allowance. 

Sec.  s-  Whenever  the  amount  of  moneys  in  the  treasury  shall  ex- 
ceed $500,  appropriations  may  be  made  for  the  relief  of  sick  members, 
and  also  for  the  burial  of  deceased  brethren. 

Article  VII. — Of  the  chafel. 

Section  i.  In  each  printing  office  within  the  jurisdiction  com- 
prised in  Article  I,  section  i.  where  journeymen  connected  with  this  as- 
sociation are  employed,  there  shall  be  established  what  is  techoKrally 
called  a  "chapel,"  and  an  experienced  journeyman  printer  chosen  to 
preside  thereat,  who  shall  be  constituted  and  known  in  his  ofticul 
capacity  as  "father  of  the  chapel."  To  this  chapel  shall  be  referred  for 
settlement  any  difference  that  may  arise  between  cmnloyer  and  em- 
ployed, or  between  journeymen;  and  the  disagreements  shall  be  adjudgert 
by  the  chapel,  and  its  decision  acquiesced  in  and  supported  by  «» 
members  respectivelv.  .  ... 

Sec.  2.  When  doubts  arise  respecting  the  construction  which  may 
be  given  to  any  article,  or  articles,  in  the  scale  of  prices,  a  ch-ipel 
shall  be  immediately  summoned,  at  which  the  father  shall  pre»i<t<-.  when 
the  difficulty  shall  be  canvassed,  and  the  decision  of  the  majority  De 
binding  upon  all.  ,    .  ,    ,        ,        ,   .     „,^,. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  father  of  the  chapel  to  renort 
the  nature  of  the  difficulty,  and  the  decision  thereon,  to  «he  proident 
of  the  board  of  directors,  who  shall,  if  in  their  opinion  necessary,  brmg 
the  subject  before  the  association.  .  .    ,,    . 

Sec.  4-  Every  member  of  the  association  in  the  office  •h-^"  *•'« 
a  voice  m  the  chapel:  but  if  the  majority,  m  large  """ces.  d«ide  to 
delegate  the  trust  to  chapels  consisting  of  five,  seven,  or  nine  member.. 


I06  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

of  which  the  father  to  be  always  one,  it  shall  be  competent  for  them  to 
do  so.  The  father  of  the  chapel  to  be  elected  by  a  majority  and  con- 
tinue in  office  three  months. 

Sec.  5.  No  chapel  shall  be  formed  in  any  printing  office  where 
there  are  less  than  three  members  of  the  association  employed;  and  any 
difficulty  originating  in,  or  any  demand  for  relief,  emanating  from  such 
office,  shall  be  laid  before  the  board  of  directors. 

Article  X  on  "Impeachment  and  Trial  of  Members"  provides  that 
"any  breach  of  the  constitution,  by-laws,  or  scale  of  prices  of  this  asso- 
ciation, shall  constitute  just  grounds  for  impeachment,  admonition,  fine, 
or  expulsion  of  any  of  its  officers  or  members."  It  is  also  provided  that 
"conduct  calculated  to  bring  into  contempt,  or  derision,  the  association 
as  a  body"  is  punishable  in  like  manner.  Charges  must  be  made  in 
writing,  a  copy  furnished  the  member  against  whom  they  are  made  at 
least  one  week  before  the  date  of  the  meeting  at  which  they  are  to  be 
taken  up.     A  majority  vote  convicts. 

Article  XI  of  the  "scale  of  prices"  says: 

Section  i.  The  scale  of  prices  for  labor,  appended  to  this  consti- 
tution shall,  in  all  cases,  be  considered  as  a  part  thereof,  and  no  rnem- 
ber  of  this  association  shall,  on  any  pretense  whatever,  work,  either 
directly,  or  indirectly,  for  prices  less  than  those  specified  therein. 

Article  X  of  the  by-laws  establishes  an  employment  office,  or  out-of- 
work"  register,  with  priority  rights.  The  latter,  however,  would  not 
appear  to  amount  to  a  waiting  list  based  upon  establishments  and  gri- 
ority  rights  therein.     The  article  says: 

A  book  shall  be  kept  at  the  association  room  for  the  purpose  of 
registering  the  names  of  such  members  as  are  in  want  of  employment, 
and  also  of  vacant  situations,  and  any  journeyman  who  may  have  placed 
his  name  on  the  book  shall  forfeit  6  cents  for  every  twenty-four  hours 
his  name  shall  remain  thereon  after  he  has  obtained  a  situation. 

By-law  XII  requires: 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  members  of  this  association  to  inform 
strangers,  who  come  into  the  offices  where  they  are  employed,  of  the 
established  prices,  and  also  of  the  existence  of  the  association,  and  of 
the  necessity  of  becoming  members. 

APPENDIX,  A,  NO.  6. 
Constitution  of  the  Nashville  Typographical  Society,   1837. 

Preamble.— Whereas,  it  is  the  duty  of  every  member  of  a  laudable 
calling,  to  use  his  best  exertions  toward  enhancing  and  dignifying  said 
calling,  by  adding  to  the  quantum  of  its  virtue  and  intelligence — as 
well  as  for  mutual  protection  and  defense,  as  for  the  purpose  of  culti- 
vating a  friendly  feeling  and  intercourse  toward  each  other;   and 

Whereas  these  objects  are  more  attainable  by  the  formation  of  so- 
cieties composed  of  the  same  class  of  persons  than   by  other  means: 

Therefore  we,  the  subscribers,  printers  residing  in  the  city  of  Nash- 
ville, desirous  to  forward  the  aforesaid  ends,  have  agreed  to  form  our- 
selves into  a  society,  and  for  our  government  adopt  the  following  con- 
stitution: 

Article  I. — Organisation. 

Section  i.  This  society  shall  be  called  the  "Nashville  Typogr?ph- 
ical  Society." 

Sec.  2.  This  society  shall  have  for  its  objects  the  various  purposes 
stated  in  the  preamble  and  constitution. 

Sec.  3.    The    society    shall    hold    its    regular    meetings    on    the    first 


EARLY    ORGAXIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


Saturday  in  each  month,   and   seven  paying  members  shall  constitute  a 
quorum  to  transact  any  business  confided  by  this  constitution. 

Article  II.— 0/  the  officers. 

Section  i.  The  officers  of  the  society  shall  be  a  president,  vice- 
president,  secretary,  treasurer,  and  five  directors,  to  be  elected  annu- 
ally at  the  regular  meeting  in  April,  by  ballot. 

Sec.  2.  The  newly-elected  officers  shall  not  enter  upon  the  duties 
•of  their  offices  until  the  adjournment  of  the  meeting  at  which  they  have 
been  elected;  and  before  taking  their  scats,  shall  individually  or  col- 
lectively, as  the  case  may  be,  make  the  following  pledge,  administered 
by  the  president: 

"You,  A  B,  do  hereby  pledge  your  honor  that  you  will  endeavor,  to 
the  best  of  your  ability,  to  discharge  the  various  duties  incumbent  on 
you  (or  each  of  you,  as  the  case  may  be)  by  the  constitution  and  by- 
laws of  this  society;  and  that  you  will  act  impartially  in  all  things  per- 
taining to  your  duties  whilst  officers  of  this  society." 

Article   III. — Of  the  president. 

Section  i.  The  president  shall  preside  over  the  deliberations  of 
the  society,  but  shall  not,  whilst  in  the  chair,  enter  into  debate,  or  give 
his  opinion  on  any  question  except  such  as  relates  to  order;  but  may  at 
any  time  leave  the  chair  for  that  purpose,  and  appoint  a  memlxr  to  fill 
the  same:  Provided,  lie  does  not  speak  more  than  twice  on  the  same 
question. 

Sec.  2.  The  president  shall  not  vote  on  any  question,  except  in 
case  of  a  tie,  when  he  shall  have  the  casting  vote;  but  in  elections,  he 
shall  have  his  vote  as  a  member  only. 

Sec.  3.  The  president  shall  have  power  to  nominate  all  commit- 
tees, but  the  nomination  shall  be  confirmed  by  a  vote  of  the  society. 

Sec.  4.  The  president  shall  have  power  to  inflict  fines  for  unneces- 
sary absence,  misbehavior,  or  neglect  of  duty,  not  exceeding  $1  for  any 
single  offense;  but  any  member  may  appeal  to  the  society  for  a  release 
of  fines:     Provided,  His  appeal  have  a  second. 

Sec.  s.  The  president  may  call  special  meetmgs  when  he  and  the 
board  of  directors  shall  deem  it  necessary. 

Article  IV. — Of  the  vice-president. 

Section  i.  In  the  event  of  the  death,  absence  or  disability  of  the 
president,  the  vice-president  shall  act  as  president.  ,...,.  ,   .     . 

Sec  2  In  the  event  of  the  death,  absence  or  disability  ol  both 
president  and  vice-president,  the  society  shall  fill  the  vacancy  by  a  pro 
tempore  appointment. 

Article  V.—Of  the  secretary. 

Section  i.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  keep  a  true  and 
legible  record  of  the  proceedings  of  each  meeting  in  a  well-bound  b-wk 
kept  for  that  purpose.  .  ,      „ 

Sec  2.  The  secretary  shall  act  as  collector,  and  all  moneys  re- 
ceived by  him  for  the  society,  shall  be  paid  over  to  the  treasurer  forth- 
with, taking  a  receipt  for  the  same  in  a  book  kept  by  him  for  that  pur- 

''°^^'Sec.  3.    It  shall  be  his  duty  to  notify  members  of  the  society  of  all 
special  meetings;   also,  newly  elected  members  of  thr;r  rlrrl!.  n.     _    _ 

Sec.  4.    He  shall   keep  a  box  or  trunk,   in   w! 
ing  to  the  society  shall  be  deposited  by  him,  and 

Sec.   5.    In    consideration    of    the   ordinary   il 
secretary  shall  be  exempt  from  the  payment  of  h'  ,  .       ,  ,    ,'.   . 

Sec.  6.  In  case  of^the  absence  of  the  secretary,  his  (...rr  vt,.,  r-r 
filled  by  a  pro  tempore  appointment,  and  the  person  so  appointed  snail 


I08  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

be   exempt   from   the  payment   of  his   monthly   dues    for   the   meeting   he 
may  act  as  secretary. 

Article  VI. — Of  the  treasurer. 

Section  t.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  to  receive  all 
moneys  collected  by  the  secretary  for  the  use  of  the  society,  and  re- 
ceipt to  him  for  the  same. 

Sec.  2.  He  shall  keep  a  true  and  correct  account  of  all  moneys  re- 
ceived by  him,  and  of  all  expenditures. 

Sec.  3.  He  shall  make  no  disbursement  unless  by  an  order  of  the 
society,  which  order  shall  be  signed  by  the  president  and  countersigned 
by  the  secretary. 

Sec.  4.  The  treasurer  shall  make  a  report  _  of  the  state  of  the 
finances  to  the  society  at  the  regular  meetings  in  July,  October  and 
January,  and  at  the  April  meeting  he  shall  make  his  report  in  conjunc- 
tion V.  ith  the  secretary  and  board  of  directors,  for  which  purpose  they 
shall  have  free  access  to  the  books  of  the  secretary  and  treasurer,  as 
well  as  all  other  papers  belonging  to  the  society. 

Szc.  5.  The  treasurer  shall  be  required  to  give  bond  and  security 
to  the  president,  when  the  sum  in  the  treasury  shall  amount  to  $100. 

Article  VII. — Of  the  directors. 

Section  i.  The  board  of  directors  shall,  within  ten  days  after  their 
election,  meet  and  choose  one  of  their  number  to  act  as  chairman,  who 
shall  also  act  as  secretary  of  the  board. 

Src.  2.  They  s'liall  inquire  into  the  claims  of  applicants  for  relief, 
and  recommend  relief  to  indigent  printers  or  their  families,  in  such 
crs^s  as  in  their  judgment  they  may  deem  proper;  and  also  have  a  gen- 
eral supervision  of  the  interests  and  concerns  of  the  society. 

Src  3.  The  board  of  directors  shall  act  as  a  standing,  correspond- 
ing and  publishing  committee,  to  transact  such  business  as  the  society 
may  from  time  to  time  direct. 

Sec.  4.  In  case  of  the  death  of  a  member  of  the  society,  the  board 
shall  have  the  superintendence  of  the  funeral.  They  shall  likewise 
make  strict  inquiry  into  the  circumstances  of  the  deceased,  and  if  they 
deem  it  necessary,  shall  recommend  a  sum  not  exceeding  $30,  to  defray 
the  expenses  of  the  funeral. 

Sec.  5.  The  board  shall  inform  all  journeymen  printers  on  their 
arrival  in  this  city,  of  the  existence  of  this  society,  and  furnish  each 
individual  with  a  copy  of  its  constitution. 

S;^c.  6.  The  chairman  of  the  board  shall  have  power  to  assess  a 
fine  of  50  cents  for  non-attendance  at  their  regular  monthly  meetings, 
when  a  satisfactory  excuse  is  not  given,  which  fine  shall  be  reported  to 
the  secretary  and  charged  on  his  book. 

Sec.  7.  Any  member  of  the  board  who  shall  neglect  to  attend 
their  regular  monthly  meetings  for  three  months  successively,  shall  be 
reported  to  the  society  by  the  chairnian  of  the  board,  and  if  said  mem- 
ber can  not  give  a  satisfactory  excuse  for  such  neglect  of  duty,  he  shall 
be  deprived  of  his  office,  and  the  society  shall  go  into  an  election  to  fill 
the  vacancy. 

Sec.  8.  The  chairman  and  two  other  directors  shall  have  power  to 
transact  any  business  intrusted  to  the  board  by  this  constitution.  In  the 
absence  of  the  chairman,  a  pro  tempore  appointment  shall  be  made  to 
fill  the  vacancy. 

Sec.  9.  The  board  shall  meet  regularly  on  the  last  Saturday  in 
each  month,  for  the  transaction  of  business  that  may  be  laid  before  them. 

Article  VIII.— 0/  the  chapel. 

Section  i.  There  shall  be  a  chapel  in  each  office  where  there  are 
three  members  of  the  society  (exclusive  of  the  foreman). 

Sec.  2.  The  chapel  shall  choose  one  of  the  members  to  preside,  who 
shall  be  called  the  father  of  the  chapel. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OI-     I'RINTKRS  ,09 

Sec.  a.  The  chapel  shall  have  the  supervision  of  all  ditipute*  be- 
twixt journeymen,  and  such  other  business  as  concem*  their  office 
alone^  and  which  can  not  be  brought  immediately  before  the  society. 

Sec.  4.  Journeymin  belonginR  to  this  society  shall  be  under  the 
regulation  of  their  respective  chapels,  and  each  chapel  shall  have  power 
to  enforce  the  payment  of  all  dues  to  the  society. 

Sec.  5.  In  case  any  journeyman  employed  in  this  city,  should  neg- 
lect or  refuse  to  present  his  name  to  the  society  for  membership,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  chapel  to  refuse  to  work  with  him. 

Sec.  6.  Any  member  of  the  society  who  may  be  dissatisfied  with 
the  decision  of  a  chapel,  will  have  the  right  to  an  appeal  to  the  society: 
Provided,  Said  member  is  not  in  arrears. 

Sec.  7.  Any  decision  made  by  one  chapel  shall  be  considered  bind- 
ing on  the  others,  unless  disapproved  of  by  the  society. 

Sec.  8.    All  business  done  by  chapels  shall  be  in  private. 

Article  IX. — Qualifications. 

Section  i.  No  member  shall  be  eligible  to  any  office  in  this  society 
who  is  in  arrears  to  the  society,  at  the  time  of  election,  the  sum  of  $1 
or  upward,  or  who  has  not  been  a  member  at  least  six  months. 

Sec.  2.  The  qualifications  for  membership  shall  be  a  good  char- 
acter, industrious  habits,  and  a  good  practical  knowledge  of  the  art  of 
letterpress  printing. 

Sec.  3.  No  person  shall  be  admitted  to  membership  in  this  society 
who  is  known  to  be  a  runaway  apprentice,  or  has  not  served  his  appren- 
ticeship. 

Sec.  4.  Any  person  wishing  to  become  a  member  of  this  society. 
must  make  the  same  known  in  writing  to  the  chairman  of  the  board  of 
directors,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  lay  the  sane  before  the  board  at 
their  next  monthly  meeting,  and  if  the  board  shall  deem  the  applicant 
worthv  of  membership,  the  president  shall  present  his  name  to  the  so- 
ciety, and  if  it  be  found  that  three-fourths  of  the  voting  members  pres- 
ent are  in  favor  of  his  admission,  he  shall  be  declared  duly  elected. 

Sec.  5.  When  any  person  is  duly  elected,  he  shall,  before  taking 
his  seat,  inake  the  following  promise: 

"You,  C  D,  do  hereby  pledge  your  honor,  that  you  will  conform 
to  all  the  rules  of  this  society,  that  you  will  not  divulge  any  of  the  pro- 
ceedings that  are  not  intended  to  be  made  public:  that  you  will  en- 
deavor to  cultivate  a  friendly  feeling  among  the  members,  so  th.it  ."''"« 
a  member  of  this  society,  may  give  the  highest  assurance  of  the  faithful 
discharge  of  all  confidence  and  trust  reposed  in  you. 

Article  X. — Dues,  fines,  etc. 

Section  i.  The  initiation  fee  shall  be  $2:  monthly  dues  50  crniv 
to  fall  due  on  the  day  before  the  regular  monthly  meetings. 

Sec.  2.  Any  member  being  absent  at  roll  call  without  a  sufhcicni 
excuse  shall  be  fined  121/2  cents,  for  absence  the  whole  meetinjc.^  5" 
cents,  and  for  leaving  the  room  whilst  the  society  is  in  s<— ^i-ii.  «it  tit 
permission  of  the  president,  not  less  than   i-'^j  or  more  ti 

Sec.   3.    Anv  person   neglecting  or   refusing  to  pay 
society  for  two  months,  shall  be  debarred  all  the  privilrw^ 
until  all  such  dues  are  paid  up;  and  if  not  paid  up  with  ■ 
he  shall  be  expelled,  and   shall  not  be  again  admitted  unU-s   hr  y.i-."  ah 
dues  and  is  elected  as  a  new  member.  1        ,  ,k-  iniiininn 

Sec.  4.  The  society  may,  at  any  time  raise  or  lower  «»"^  '""'»"" 
fee  or  monthly  installments  by  a  vote  of  three-fourths  ..f  tl.r  %..t.nK 
members  present. 

Article  XI.— Life  membership. 

Section  i.  Any  member  who  shall  have  resided  in  thr..tvt^^ 
twelve  years,  having  paid  up,  rcKuIarly.  all  ,''''^,,'^"".  »"^,,^""|,'!'\"„,,  ,;> 
a  right  to  membership  during  life,  without  further  installments,  .in.i  an, 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


member  on  admission,  or  at  any  time  afterwards,  paying  into  the  treas- 
ury, the  sum  of  $25,  shall,  also,  in  like  manner,  be  considered  a  member 
for  life. 

Article  XII. — Benefits. 

Section  1.  The  benefits  and  reliefs  of  this  society  shall  be  extended 
to  its  members  or  their  families,  and  to  all  the  deserving  of  the  profes- 
sion. 

Article  XIII. — Certificate  of  membership. 

Section  1.  Any  member  applying  to  the  president,  and  stating  his 
intentions  to  leave  the  city,  or  quit  the  business,  shall  be  entitled  to  a 
certificate,  signed  by  the  president  and  countersigned  by  the  secretary: 
Provided,  He  is  not  in  debt  to  the  society,  and  is  not  lying  under  any 
charge  of  misconduct  before  the  society. 

Sec.  2.  On  said  member  leaving  and  returning  at  any  distant  period, 
he  shall  be  received  as  a  regular  member  v.'ithout  the  payment  of  install- 
ments for  the  time  of  his  absence:  Provided,  He  deliver  his  certificate 
to  the  president  by  the  first  regular  meeting  after  his  return  to  the  city; 
but  if  he  should  neglect  or  refuse  to  comply  with  the  above,  he  must  be 
admitted  in  the  same  manner  as  though  he  had  never  been  a  member. 

Article   XIV. — Miscellaneous. 

Section  i.  The  anniversary  of  the  society  shall  be  celebrated  by 
such  suitable  arrangements  as  the  society  may  think  proper  to  make,  and 
any  member  refusing  to  attend,  without  a  reasonable  excuse,  shall  be 
fined  the  sum  if  $2,  said  fine  to  be  charged  to  him  on  the  secretary's 
book. 

Sec.  2.  Upon  the  death  of  any  member  of  this  society,  the  members 
shall  fill  tlie  funeral  train,  and  wear  crape  on  the  left  arm  for  thirty 
days  in  honor  of  the  deceased. 

Sec.  3.  This  society  shall,  as  far  as  practicable,  co-operate  with  the 
"National  Typographical  Society,"  and  endeavor  to  be  represented  at  its 
annual  meetings. 

Sec.  4.  The  society  may,  at  any  time,  make  such  rules  and  regula- 
tions as  they  may  deem  expedient,  relative  to  the  wages,  and  their  de- 
portment toward  workmen  who  are  employed  under  the  regular  wages. 

Sec.  5.  No  person  published  by  the  society'as  a  "rat."  shall  be  re- 
leased without  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  voting  members  present  at 
a  regular  meeting. 

Sec.  6.  Any  attempt  by  one  member  to  injure  another  member's 
good  standing,  without  sufficient  cause,  shall  be  punished  at  the  discre- 
tion of  the  society.  So  also  shall  gross  immorality,  frequent  and  need- 
less neglect  of  business  to  the  serious  injury  of  the  employer,  or  the 
bringing  the  individual's  own  family  to  a  state  of  want  or  suffering,  or 
any  other  act  which  is  evidently  wrong,  and  calculated  to  injure  or  bring 
a  stigma  on  this  society  or  its  members,  shall  be  taken  cognizance  of,  and 
every  case  of  expulsion  shall  be  made  known  to  all  societies  in  corre- 
spondence with  this. 

Sfc.  7.  A  charge  of  the  violation  of  the  above  section  must  be  made 
in  writing,  with  the  name  of  the  person  tnaking  the  charge,  and  the  sec- 
retary shall  notify  the  accused  to  appear  at  the  next  regular  meeting, 
and  sliou'd  he  neglect  or  refuse  to  appear  for  two  successive  meetings, 
the  society  shall  proceed  to  try  him,  appointing  a  member  to  manage  his 
case  fir  liii-.i. 

Sec.  8.  The  president  shall  act  as  judge,  and  the  other  members, 
with  the  exception  of  the  accuser  or  accused,  shall  act  as  jurors,  and  any 
member  may  be  used  as  a  witness.  The  accuser  shall  first  produce  his 
evidence,  having  a  right  to  cross-question  the  witnesses.  The  accused 
shall  then  proceed  in  the  same  manner  in  his  defense.  After  all  the  evi- 
dence has  been  Inid  before  the  society,  the  vote  sliall  then  be  taken  by 
ayes  and  noes — gui'ty  or  not  guilty — and  two-thirds  shall  he  required  to 
convict.  On  conviction  a  majority  may  assess  the  penalty.  All  may 
vote  except  the  accuser  and  accused. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


Sec.  9.  Any  member  who  shall  reproach  another,  or  any  of  the 
family  of  a  deceased  member,  with  having  received  the  benefits  of  thi« 
society,  shall,  for  the   first  offense,  be  fined  $5,  and   for  the  second,  ex- 

Sec.  10.  Any  member  of  this  society,  on  becoming  an  employer. 
shall  forfeit  his  membership.  j    i  •     .1      f  n 

Sec  i:.  This  constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended  m  the  lollow- 
ing  manner.  The  alteration  or  amendment  shall  be  offered  at  --nc 
monthly  meeting,  and  entered  on  the  mmutes.  and  shall  lie  on  the  table 
for  further  consideration  until  the  next  monthly  mcetmg,  when  it  may 
be  adopted  by  three-fourths  of  the  voting  members  present. 

BY-LAWS. 

I  All  members  shall  address  the  chair  standing,  and  in  all  c.ises 
where  two  or  more  shall  rise,  and  a  controversy  or  contention  take  place 
as  to  who  shall  have  the  floor,  the  president  shall  decde  which  meml^r 
JhaH  speak  first,  and  the  others  standing  shall  take  their  seats  or  be  sub- 

^^""^  T.  Th^president  shall  have  power  to  check  any  member  addrcssinK 
the  chair  on  any  subject,  who  shall  wander  from  the  subject:  he  shall 
also  orde'r  any  member  to  take  his  seat  who  shall  indulge  m  p.-rsonal.. 

*'^^'  3.  Any  member  refusing  to  come  to  order  when  ^^lled  upon  to  do 
so  by  the  chair,  or  any  member  behaving  <^:^"r%\^y J'.  Z^'TZ^tud 
shall  be  fined  not  less  than  25  cents  nor  more  than  $;.  and  "ot  permittee 

^^  't  ^^^  "^inritrJ'nTi  ^:^Z:l  fha^n  twice  on  .he 

--v"^o^^o^-°^aif  b^in '^i^'^mir  ^^^^ion^<^^  r  t^ 

is  disposed  of,  except  a  motion  to  adjourn,  which  shall  aUa)s  be  in 
°"^^6  The  minutes  of  each  and  every  meeting  of  this  society  shall  be 
signed  by  the  president  and  secretary  Heharred   the   privilcRri. 

""■s'.'Vn'rS'a.r  proposing  a  dissolMion  of  .!.»  ..c»>y  .h.H  b.  "■ 

'°  ''ro.°Re%%trof''Jomm'itttes  and  resolutions  must  be  .ubmi.ted  in 
""'Tf-  No  member  shall  be  entitled  to  a  vote  in  this  wcicty.  until 
after Jhe^ayment.o^f  ^'>^^,}tr;'e"c"nsidered.  except  on  motion  of  one  of 
*^«  "^I'^'lrnle  or  by-law  of  this  society  shall  be  suspended  for  .ny 
P"^"?:"  No  amount  shall  be  received  from  any  member  1e*s  than  the 
full  amount  of  his  dues  'oj^e  society  ^    ,     ,  ^„y  „,,r,J  mrrt.nit 

of  the^soSy.t;TvJre''of\^hrt^.Sr;hs  oT'the  voting  mem,..  P.^^-^ 

ORDER  OF  BUSINESS. 
,     The  president  shall  take  the  chair  and  call  the  mccn.  ■ 
'      The  secretary  shall  call  the  roll.     . 
t.    Read  ?he  minutes  of  the  last  meeting. 
A.    Assessment  of  fines. 

Collection  of  fines,  dues    etc. 


6.    Application  for  membership. 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


7.  Initiation  of  officers  and  members. 

8.  Presentation  of  bills  against  the  society. 

9.  Reports  of  committees. 

10.  Reports   of   officers. 

11.  Vacancies  in  committees  and  offices  to  be  filled. 

12.  Unfinished  business. 

13.  Business  of  the  evening. 

14.  Discharge  of  members  tor  absence,  misconduct,  etc. 

15.  Adjournment. 

APPENDIX  A,  NO,  7, 

Constitution  of  the  New  Orleans  Typographical  Association, 
as  Revised  and  Adopted  September  14,  1839. 

Preamble. — The  printers  of  New  Orleans,  feeling  the  necessity  of 
organization  for  tue  purpose  of  securing  a  fair,  just,  and  uniform  com- 
pensation for  their  labor,  and  to  provide  for  such  of  their  craftsmen  as 
may  be  unable  through  ill  health  to  support  themselves,  have  associated 
together.  Tliey  deem  it  clearly  established  by  experience,  that  the  in- 
terests and  prosperity  of  the  producing  classes  can  only  be  sustained  by 
the  acticn  of  the  whole,  concertrattd  and  united.  By  union  only,  can 
they  accomplish  the  object  of  their  association.  Therefore,  fully  believ- 
ing'that  the  best  interests  of  the  trade  will  be  promoted — the  respectabil- 
ity of  the  profession  advanced — the  harmony  of  the  whole  secured  by 
the  establishment  of  an  umpire  for  the  settlement  of  disputes — we  have 
formed  ourselves  into  a  body,  to  be  styled  the  "New  Orleans  Typograph- 
ical Association,"  and  adopt  the  following  constitution  and  by-laws  for 
our  government. 

ARTICLE  I. — Jurisdiction  and  government. 

Section  i.  The  jurisdiction  of  this  association  shall  embrace  the 
city  and  parish   of  New  Orleans  and  .the  city  of  Lafayette. 

Six.  2.  The  concerns  of  this  association  shall  be  managed  by  a 
president,  vice-president,   secretary,  treasurer  and  six  directors. 

Six.  3.  The  president,  vice-president,  secretary,  treasurer  and  six 
directors,  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  on  the  second  Saturdays  of  May  and 
November  and  hold  their  resnective  offices  for  the  term  of  six  months, 
or  until  thei--  successors  shall  have  been  chosen.  A  majority  of  votes 
shall  constitute  a  choice. 

Article  II. — Duty  of  the  officers. 

Section  i.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  president  to  attend  all  meet- 
ings of  the  association  and  of  the  board  of  directors;  to  preside  at,  and 
keep  order  therein;  he  shall  be  authorized  to  call  extra  or  special  meet- 
ings of  the  association  or  board  of  directors  at  any  time  he  may  think 
proper,  or  at  the  request  of  a  majority  of  the  directors,  or  ten  members 
of  the  association. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  vice-president  to  attend  all 
meetings  of  the  association  and  board  of  directors,  assist  in  keeping  or- 
der therein,  and  to  preside  in  the  absence  of  the  president. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  attend  all  meetings 
of  the  association  and  board  of  directors,  and  keep  a  true  and  faithful 
record  of  all  the  transactions  therein;  publish  notices  of  stated  and  spe- 
cial meetings,  in  such  form  and  manner  as  may  be  ordered  by  the  board 
of  directors;  receive  initiation  fees  and  monthly  dues,  collect  all  fines, 
etc.,  and  immediately  upon  the  receipt  of  such  moneys  deposit  the  same 
with  the  treasurer,  who  shall  receipt  to  him  therefor.  He  shall  likewise 
keep  a  book,  in  which  each  member's  name  shall  be  inserted  in  such 
manner  as  to  show  when  he  wns  admitted,  the  amount  of  dues  he  has 
paid,  ,Tnd  when  he  withdrew,  died  or  was  expelled;  which  book  shall  be 
tlie   register   of  the  association;   and   he  shall   also  keep   such   other  book 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    Ol-    PRINTERS  113 

or  books,  as  may  be,  from  time  to  time,  directed  by  the  association.  At 
the  opening  of  each  meeting,  he  shall  read  the  minutes  of  the  prrcedins 
and  intervening  meetings  of  the  association  and  board  of  directors,  and 
perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  compatible  with  his  office.  For  the 
faithful  performance  of  these  services,  he  shall  receive  a  salary  not  ex- 
ceeding $60  per  annum,  to  be  regulated  by  the  board,  and  he  exempted 
from  the  payment  of  monthly  dues.  In  case  of  non-attendance  at  meet- 
ings, he  shall,  at  the  option  of  the  association,  be  fined  in  a  sum  not  ex- 
ceeding $3  for  each  delinquency,  to  be  deducted  from   his  annual  salary. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  to  attend  all  meclmRs 
of  the  association;  to  receive  all  moneys  collected  by  the  secretary,  and 
to  receipt  to  him  for  the  same;  and  to  keep  a  true  and  faithful  account 
of  all  the  moneys  received  and  expended,  lie  shall  not  make  any  dis- 
bursements whatever,  without  a  written  order  approved  of  by  a  majority 
of  the  board  of  directors,  and  signed  by  the  president,  except  in  cases 
provided  for  under  the  head  of  relief.  He  shall  render  a  detailed  ac- 
count of  all  the  financial  atfairs  of  the  association  to  the  board  of  di- 
rectors, at  their  regular  meetings  in  May  and  November.  Hcforc  enter- 
ing upon  the  duties  of  his  office,  he  shall  give  an  obligation  or  bond  to 
the  association,  backed  by  such  surety  or  sureties  as  may  be  approved  of, 
thereby  engaging  to  refund  all  the  moneys  and  other  property  of  the  as- 
sociation, which  may  have  been  intrusted  to  his  care,  at  the  expiration  of 
the  time  for  which  he  was  elected,  or  on  his  resignation  or  removal  from 
office.  The  treasurer  shall  deposit  all  moneys  in  his  possession  over  J50, 
and  shall  exhibit  the  certificate  of  deposit  to  the  board  of  directors,  at 
their  monthly  meeting. 

Sec.  5.  The  board  of  directors  shall  meet  on  the  first  Saturday  of 
each  month,  and  shall  have  power  to  make  their  own  by-laws,  provided 
they  do  not  militate  against  the  spirit  of  the  constitution,  or  such  reiru- 
lations  as  may  be  made  from  time  to  time  by  the  association.  It  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  directors  to  audit  and  settle  the  accounts  of  the 
treasurer,  secretary  and  committee  of  relief.  All  appropriations  of  the 
funds,  except  in  cases  provided  for  under  the  head  of  relief,  shall  be 
made  through  the  treasurer,  and  an  order  to  that  effect,  approved  by  a 
majoritv  of  the  board  and  signed  by  the  president,  shall  be  considered  a 
sufficient  warrant  therefor.  They  shall  render  to  the  association,  at  its 
regular  meetings  in  May  and  November,  a  true  and  faithful  account  of 
all  the  affairs  of  the  association.  They  shall  likewise  receive  all  applica- 
tions for  membership,  and  report  on  the  eligibility  of  candidates  for  ad- 
mission. Any  member  of  the  board  of  directors,  who  may  fail  to  attend, 
shall  be  fined  50  cents  for  each  neglect. 

Article  III. — Of  elections. 

Section  1.  A  general  election  for  officers  of  the  association  shall 
be  held  on  the  second  Saturdays  of  May  and  November  in  each  year,  of 
which  previous  public  notice  shall  be  given  by  the  secretary.  . 

Sec.  2.  The  secretary  and  two  members,  to  be  named  hytfie  chair. 
shall  officiate  as  inspectors  or  judges,  at  each  election:  and  it  shall  be 
their  duty  to  see  that  no  member  votes  more  than  once,  and  to  rxclude 
from  voting  all  such  members  as  are  in  arrears  for  dues  or  fincv  Im- 
mediately upon  the  closing  of  the  polls,  they  shall  canvas  the  tickcls 
that  have  been  received,  make  out  a  correct  report  in  writing  of  ttic  num- 
ber of  votes  given  for  each  person,  and  deliver  it  to  the  presiding  omcer, 
■who  shall  thereupon  declare  the  result  of  the  election. 

Sec.   3.     Immediately  after  the  election,  the   respccliye  oB>ccr».   pre- 
vious to   taking  their  scats,   shall   subscribe  to  the  following   .i--.    .'H.  n. 
which  shall  be  administered  by  the  presiding  officers:       l>"  ■ 
declare  that   you   will,   to  the  best   of  your  ability,   cxccul.- 

?     That  you   will  support  the  constitution  of  this  .1-- 

all  bv-laws  founded  thereon?  And  that  you  will  act  in  th.v  'i-'>  -  •  ■■ 
the  general  benefit  of  the  members  thereof,  when  opportunity  ortci.  of 
occasion  requires  it?"  .  c        i  .  <:„..    .hati  not 

Sec.  4.  Any  person  who  is  in  arrearage  for  dues  or  fines,  shall  luH 
be  eligible  for  election  to  any  of  the  offices  before  mentioned. 


114 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


Article  IV. — Election  and  initiation. 


Section  i.  Application  for  admission  into  this  association,  must  be 
made  to  the  board  of  directors,  either  personally  or  through  a  member 
of  this  association.  The  applicant  must  deposit  in  the  hands  of  one  of 
the  members  of  the  board  of  directors,  the  sum  of  $5;  upon  which  the 
board  of  directors  shall  take  his  request  into  consideration;  and  if  it 
shall  satisfactorily  appear  that  he  is  a  regular  journeyman  printer,  of 
the  age  of  21  years,  and  not  working  for  less  than  the  prices  established 
by  this  association,  the  result  of  such  inquiries  shall  be  reported  at  the 
next  regular  meeting  of  the  association. 

Sec.  2.  A  person  favorably  reported  to  the  association,  shall  be  bal- 
loted for,  and  the  votes  of  three-fourths  of  the  members  present  shall 
entitle  him  to  admission;  when,  having  signed  the  constitution,  he  shall 
be  entitled  to  a  copy  of  it,  and  a  blank  certificate  of  membership,  which 
blank  certificate  may  be  filled  at  the  end  of  three  months  from  the  time 
of  his  admission,  or  at  the  discretion  of  the  board  of  directors. 

Sec.  3.  Candidates  who  do  not  come  forward  within  two  months 
after  being  notified  of  their  election,  shall  forfeit  their  deposit  money, 
unless  a  satisfactory  excuse  for  the  delay  be  rendered.  Should  a  candi- 
date be  rejected,   his  deposit  money  shall  be  returned. 

Sec.  4.  Every  newly  elected  member  shall  be  introduced  by  the  in- 
dividual who  proposed  him  to  the  board  of  directors,  or  such  other  mem- 
ber as  may  be  designated  by  the  presiding  officer;  who  shall  address  him 
as  follows:  "Sir,  I  have  the  pleasure  of  informing  you  that  you  have 
been  elected  a  member  of  the  New  Orleans  Typographical  Association. 
Before  your  name  is  added  to  the  list,  it  is  my  duty  to  ask.  Do  you  un- 
derstand the  objects  of  this  association?  Will  you,  either  as  a  journey- 
man or  foreman,  support  the  constitution  and  scale  of  prices  of  this  as- 
sociation, and  all  by-laws  founded  thereon?  Will  you  attend  all  meet- 
ings of  this  association,  and  embrace  every  proper  occasion  to  promote 
its  reputation  and  enhance  its  prosperity?  \Vhere  your  influence  is  de- 
sired by  individuals  of  the  profession,  and  their  claims  as  workmen  are 
equal,  will  you  always  give  the  preference  to  members  of  the  association, 
and  also  pledge  yourself  not  to  divulge  any  of  the  proceedings  of  the  as- 
sociation?" [If  his  answer  be  in  the  affirmative,  the  president  will  reply 
as  follows:]  "As  your  answers  are  satisfactory,  and  trusting  that  you 
will  ever  bear  in  mind  the  principles  upon  which  this  association  is 
founded,  I  will  now  tender  you  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  As  an 
earnest  of  the  sincerity  of  the  declaration  you  have  just  made,  you  will 
now  sign  this  constitution,  which   defines  your  rights   and  duties." 

Sec  5.  Any  member  of  this  association  who  shall  establish  the 
printing  business  on  his  own  account,  will  forfeit  his  title  to  member- 
ship;— but  in  the  event  of  his  again  becoming  a  journeyman,  he  shall  be 
entitled  to  all  his  former  rights  and  privileges. 

Article  Y. — Of  monthly  dues. 

Section  i.  Each  member  of  the  association,  with  the  exception  of 
the  secretary,  shall  pay  into  the  treasury  the  sum  of  50  cents  per  month. 

Article  VI. — Of  the  funds. 

Section  i.  The  funds  shall  not  be  appropriated  to  any  other  pur- 
pose than  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  association,  and  the  pecuniary 
relief  of  its  members. 

Sec.  2.  Any  member  who  may  be  thrown  out  of  employment  in 
consequence  of  not  obtaining  the  price  for  his  labor  in  accordance  with 
the  scale  of  prices,  shall  be  entitled  to  a  weekly  allowance  of  $5;  and 
the  board  of  directors  shall  determine  the  right  of  applicants  to  the  per- 
week  allowance,  specified  in  this  section.  If  it  shall  satisfactorily  appear 
that  he  makes  no  effort  to  obtain  another  situation,  or  refuses  honorable 
employment  when  offered  him,  and  continues  to  draw  on  the  treasury, 
his  weekly  allowance  shall  be  immediately  discontinued,  and  his  claim 
on  the  funds  be  suspended  for  the  term  of  six  months. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  1,5 

Sec.  3.  No  member  shall  be  entitled  to  the  weekly  allowance  speci- 
fied, who  may  be  in  arrears  for  dues  or  fines. 

Sec.  4.  Any  sum  that  may  be  earned  by  a  member  during  the  wetk 
that  he  receives  pecuniary  relief,  shall  be  deducted  from  his  weekly  al- 
lowance. 

Article  VII. — Of  the  chapel. 

Section  1.  In  each  printing  office,  within  the  jurisdiction  of  this  as- 
sociation, wherein  members  ot  it  are  employed,  there  shall  be  established 
a  chapel,  and  an  experienced  journeyman  from  among  them  chosen  to 
preside  thereat,  who  shall  be  constituted  and  known  in  his  official  ca- 
pacity as  father  of  the  chapel.  To  this  chapel  shall  be  referred  for  set- 
tlement any  difference  that  mav  arise  between  the  employer  and  the  cm- 
ployed,  or  between  the  journeymen,  and  the  disagreement  shall  be  ad- 
judged by  the  chapel;  but  in  case  either  party  should  feel  itself  ag- 
grieved after  the  matter  in  dispute  has  been  canvassed  and  decided 
by  the  chapel,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  father  to  lay  the  case  before 
the  association,  whose  decision  shall  be  final. 

Sec.  2.  The  father  of  the  chapel  shall  be  elected  by  a  majority,  and 
continue  in  office  for  three  months. 

Sec  3.  No  chapel  shall  be  formed  in  any  printing  office  in  which 
there  are  less  than  three  members  of  the  association  employed. 

Article  \'III. — Of  impeachment  and  trial. 

Section  i.  Any  breach  of  the  constitution,  bylaws,  or  scale  of 
prices  of  this  association,  shall  constitute  just  ground  for  impeachment, 
admonition,  fine  or  expulsion  of  any  of  its  officers  or  members. 

Sec  2.  Impeachment  and  trial  of  members  shall  supersede  all  other 
business  before  the  association,  unless  otherwise  directed  by  a  vote  of 
two-thirds  of  the  members  present. 

Sec  3.  Any  member  shall  be  competent  to  impeach  another  "'«•"'• 
her,  on  either  of  the  following  specifications:  i.  Of  any  violation  of  the 
constitution,  by-laws,  or  scale  of  prices.  2.  Of  conduct  calculated  to 
bring  into  contempt  or  derision  the  association  as  a  bodv. 

Sec  4.  All  charges  and  specifications  shall  be  reduced  to  writinn. 
notice  thereof  given  at  a  general  meeting,  and  a  copy  or  copies  •h"''''' 
served  on  the  member  or  members  against  whom  they  are  made,  by  the 
secretary  or  other  authorized  officers  of  the  association,  at  least  one 
week  previous  to  its  regular  or  monthly  meeting. 

Sec  5.  No  member  sliall  be  twice  arraigned  upon  the  same  ctiarges 
and  specifications.  A  majority  of  votes,  exclusive  of  the  party  impli- 
cated, shall,  in  all  cases,  determine  the  innocence  or  delinquency  of  the 
accused. 

Article  IX.— 0/  relief  of  members. 

Section  i.  Any  member  who  may  become  sick,  or  otherwise  inca^ 
pacitated  from  pursuing  his  business,  shall  be  entitled  to  the  sum  oi  »n 

^^^  Sec  -.  In  the  event  of  death  of  any  member  of  this  association 
the  sum  of  $80  shall  be  drawn  from  the  treasury,  to  defray  his  funeral 
e.\pens^es.  ^^  ^^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^^  president,  at  the  first  »"'*']"?"'[ 
the  board  of  directors,  after  their  election,  to  divide  said  .»«»fd  •ntu 
three  committees,  to  act  as  committees  of  relief.  The  committees  snail 
serve  alternately  for  the  period  of  two  months.  ■  •,  ,(  ^ 

Sec   4.     It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  committee  of  r.lrri   1  ■  •.-  t  t    r 
members    who    mav    be    unable    to   attend    to    their    1 
health,  so  soon  as  such  inability  may  come  to  their  k: 
tain  if  they  need   the  assistance  of  the  association; 
shall   visit  such    members  at   least  once   a   week  durin^|   ■ 
pay  to  them  the  sum  allowed  by  the  constitution,  and  take  rr,r.,,,s  ,,.c. 
for,  in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose.  . 

Sec   5.    It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  committee  of  relief  to  make  a 


Il6  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

detailed  statement  of  the  moneys  expended,  to  whom  paid,  etc.,  at  the 
expiration  of  their  term  of  office;  which  report  shall  be  incorporated 
with  the  proceedings  of  the  board. 

Sec.  6.  No  member  shall  be  entitled  to  the  benefits  of  the  preced- 
ing provisions,  who  may  be  in  arrearage  for  dues  or  fines. 

Sec.  7.  Any  member  who  may  feign  illness,  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
ceiving the  benefits  of  the  foregoing  provisions,  shall  be  expelled,  on 
proof  thereof. 

Sec.  8.  Any  member  who  may  speak  in  derision  of  another,  for  re- 
ceiving the  assistance  of  the  association,  shall  be  reprimanded  for  the 
first  offense,  and  expelled  for  the  second. 

Sec.  9.  The  committee  of  relief  shall  make  a  statement  of  the 
moneys  wanted  for  carrying  out  the  foregoing  provisions,  from  time  to 
time,  as  found  necessary,  to  the  secretary,  who  shall  examine  the  same, 
and  certify  to  its  correctness — upon  which  certificate,  the  president  shall 
draw  on  the  treasurer  for  the  amount. 

Sec.  10.  The  treasurer  shall  pay  the  drafts  of  the  president  for  all 
purposes  coming  under  the  head  of  relief,  without  the  intervention  of 
the  board;  and  such  order  shall  be  deemed  a  sufficient  voucher  for  such 
payments. 

Sec.  II.  The  secretary  shall  a.ssess  on  each  member  the  sum  of  fifty 
cents  extra,  on  the  meeting  next  succeeding  that  on  which  appropria- 
tions are  made  to  inter  members. 

Article  X. — Time  of  meeting. 

Section  i.  A  general  meeting  of  this  association  shall  be  held  on 
the  second  Saturday  of  every  month,  for  the  purpose  of  hearing  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  board  of  directors,  collecting  dues,  and  transacting  such 
other  business  as  may  come  before  it. 

Sec.  2.  At  all  the  meetings  of  the  association,  eleven  shall  be  a 
quorum  to  proceed  to  business. 

Article  XI. — Of  the  scale  of  prices. 

Section  i.  The  scale  of  prices  appended  to  this  constitution,  shall, 
in  all  cases,  be  considered  as  a  part  thereof;  and  no  member  of  this  as- 
sociation shall,  on  any  pretext  whatever  work,  either  directly  or  indi- 
rectly, for  prices  less  than  those  specified  therein. 

Article  XII. — Of  apprentices. 

Section  i.  No  member  of  this  association  shall  work  on  any  Eng- 
lish daily  morning  paper,  on  which  any  apprentices  may  be  employed. 
[This  article  is  not  considered  applicable  to  any  apprentice  now  in  such 
office.] 

Sec.  2.  No  member  of  this  association  shall  work  on  any  English 
paper,  or  in  any  book  or  job  office,  where  any  apprentice  is  employed, 
who  may  not  be  bound  for  a  term  of  not  less  than  four  years  during 
minority. — [This  clause  is  not  to  apply  to  any  existing  contracts.] 

Sec.  3.  In  order  to  find  proprietors  of  evening  papers  and  job  of- 
fices an  opportunity  to  test  the  capacity  of  boys  intended  for  apprentices, 
the  latter  shall  be  allowed  a  novitiate  of  two  months. 

Article  XIII. — General  provisions. 

1.  No  additions,  alterations,  or  amendments  shall  be  made  to  this 
constitution,  or  scale  of  prices  thereto  appended,  unless  one  month's  no- 
tice shall  have  been  given  of  such  intention  at  a  general  meeting  of  the 
association,   and  three-fourths  of  the   members   present  concur  therein. 

2.  No  French  journeyman  (not  a  member),  within  the  jurisdiction 
of  this  association,  shall  be  amenable  to  its  rules  or  regulations,  except 
he  interfere  with  the  English  compositors  or  pressmen. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  I17 


BY-LAWS. 


VT4  Toard^r  director' to' meet  on  the  Saturday  .ven.ng  preccd.ng  the 
meetings  of  the  assoc'ati°n  ^^  j,,^  ^^^^  ,ubj^,    ex- 

2.    No  membtr  shall  ^peak  more  xna  ^^^^  addre»» 

cept  by  leave  of  the  association  ^''f  ,^P^,f^'^^'^„7t  be  interrupted  wh.le 
himself  to  the  P.'-f  >f -"^  "^^j";,  officer!  when  he  shall  think  proper  to 
fan1un?'to"VTer^or'\o'admoS  h,m  to  a  closer  adherence  to  h.s  sub- 
^''''\     When  two  or  more  niembers   rise   at   once,  the  presid.ng  officer 

^^^"i^S  :^o^^^^^J^^:-  ^t^  S!'^o'"  tStS: 

When   a  question,  /«°'"^>°"   %  '"  'dent'   unless   to   postpone   the    further 
tion   shall. be  fdmit  ed  by  the  prcsulem^^^^         ^^   ^V^J  ^^         ,^, 
consideration   thereof     to   ^'^ '°J   V^f^d' j^at  shall  appear  to  the  president 
?o"1ie"s?roTthe'Tpintt^"r!'nciptorthe  resolution  or  motion  under  con- 
sideration.  ^^^  ci,, 11  be  decided  by  the  president;  but  in  ewe 

of    a^ppe?i"?ro^rhl'  XSiot'lh'e%'sTociation^  shal?  determine   by   vote. 
without  debate  ^,,„„,ider  any  former  resolution  or  vote,  can  only 

bemt^y'armber  w^.o..ted  indiema^n^^^^^^  ^^^  ^^^„        , 

7.    Any   officer   or   member   °Vj^""'^^.:,,,o„t   scndinR   or   rendering,   at 

to,  and  pay  a  fine  of  50  cents  ^^^^  ^„j  fin„    shall  not 

penalty  of  25  cents.  ,  fp         ghall   refuse  or  nfR'^t  to 

'^  ,0.  Ik  case  f"y^d'''^<=*,°''  °[°  successive  mectinRS.  his  scat  shall  be 
take  his  seat  at  the  board  for  two  sycce^sive^^.^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^  "'""i  ,7^ 
considered  as  vacated,  unless  he  sna  ^^  chairman  of  every  committee 
M.  The  ^fcretary  shal  furnish  he  ^h^^,^^^.  ^^j  .  njcmber  of 
^.tUV.  a  list  of  the  names  ot  the  'cspi.i.i.>  ,          assiened   him,   ne 

neglect.  ,    „  ^,i.p  „ut  the  account  of  each  member,  and 

''««•,.    U  sfc...  be  .b.  <>»Jvof-™be„  "',....  ir.'$"vil  »r^: 
wo,.'t.,r/,°ee"Sf.»7,o,£..be;^^^^^^^^^ 


H8  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

RULES  OF  ORDER. 

1.  At  the  time  appointed,  the  president  shall  call  the  meeting  to 
order,  and  request  the  secretary  to  call  the  roll  and  collect  the  monthly 
dues  and  fines. 

2.  The  minutes  of  the  preceding  meetings  of  the  association  and 
the  board  of  directors  shall  be  read  by  the  secretary. 

3.  Business  remaining  over  from  former  meetings  shall  be  acted  on, 
or  further  postponed. 

4.  Candidates  shall  be  balloted   for. 

5.  Reports  of  committees  shall  be  read  and  considered. 

6.  Communications  shall  be  read  and  new  motions  received. 

7.  The  secretary  shall  report  the  amount  of  money  received,  as 
also  the  names  of  those  who  have  not  paid  the  full  amount  of  their  dues 
and  fines. 

APPENDIX  A,  NO.  8. 

Constitution  of  Philadelphia  Typographical  Union,  Adopted 
August  10,  1850. 

Article  I. — Title  and  acts. 

Section  i.  This  institution  shall  be  known  by  the  name  of  "The 
Journeymen  Printers'  Union,  of  Philadelphia." 

Sec.  2.  All  acts  shall  be  in  the  name  of  "The  Journeymen  Printers' 
Union,  of  Philadelphia,"  and  shall  be  signed  by  the  president  and  secre- 
tary for  the  time  being. 

Article  II. — Manner  of  voting. 

Section  1.  On  all  questions  or  motions,  except  the  election  of  of- 
cers,  and  the  election  and  expulsion  of  members,  the  members  shall  vote 
viva  voce. 

Sec.  2.  In  the  election  of  officers,  and  in  the  election  or  expulsion 
of  members,  the  members  shall  invariably  vote  by  ballot. 

Sec.  3.  All  questions  or  resolutions  in  reference  to  prices  shall  be 
debated  and  adopted  in  committee  of  the  whole. 

Article   III. — Membership. 

Section  i.  An  indispensable  qualification  of  all  persons  admitted 
members  of  this  union,  shall  be  a  practical  knowledge  of  the  art  of  let- 
terpress printing. 

Sec.  2.  All  applications  for  membership  in  this  union,  shall  be  pre- 
sented by  members,  at  the  stated  meetings,  at  which  time  the  preten- 
sions of  the  applicant  shall  be  distinctly  made  known;  and,  if  a  majority 
of  the  voters  agree  to  the  admission  of  the  applicant,  he  shall  be  de- 
clared to  be  duly  elected.  But  any  person  elected  to  membership,  who 
shall  neglect  to  sign  the  constitution  for  one  month  after  his  election, 
(provided  notice  in  writing  be  given  him,)  shall  be  considered  to  have 
forfeited  his  right  to  admission,  unless  he  shall  show  satisfactory  cause 
for  such  neglect. 

Sec.  3.  All  candidates  for  initiation  shall  be  waited  upon  outside  of 
the  door  of  the  place  of  meeting  of  the  union,  by  the  vice-president,  or 
such  other  member  as  shall,  for  the  time  being,  fill  his  place,  who  shall 
inform  such  candidate  that  there  is  nothing  in  the  constitution  of  the 
union  conflicting  with  his  religious  or  political  principles,  be  they  what 
they  may;  and,  should  he  be  satisfied  to  proceed,  shall  read  to  him  the 
following  pledge,  and  if  he  should  consent  to  take  the  same  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  assembled  members  of  the  union,  he  shall  be  introduced  to 
the  president,  and  requested  to  raise  his  right  hand  whilst  repeating 
these  words: — "I,  (repeating  his  own  name)  hereby  solemnly  and  sin- 
cerely pledge  my  honor  as  a  man,  that  I  will  not  reveal  any  business,  or 
proceedings    of    any    meeting    of    this    union;    and    that    I    will,    without 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PUINThKlJ  ,,g 

equivocation  or  evasion,  and  to  tlic  best  of  my  ability,  so  long  as  I  shall 
remain  a  member  thereof,  abide  by  the  constitution  and  by-laws,  and  the 
particular  scale  of  prices  of  work  acknowledged  and  adopted  by  it;  and 
that  I  will,  at  all  times,  by  every  honorable  means  within  my  power.'  pro- 
cure employment  for  members  of  this  union,  in  preference  to  persons 
not  connected  therewith." 

Sec.  4.  Members-elect,  on  signing  the  constitution,  shall  pay  to  the 
financial  secretary  the  sum  of  $1,  (which  may  at  any  time  hereafter  be 
increased  to  a  sum  not  exceeding  $2,)  together  with  the  further  sum  of 
25  cents  in  each  and  every  month  thereafter. 

Sec.  5.  Should  any  member  nei;lcct  to  pay  his  dues  and  fines  for 
three  successive  months,  or  refuse  to  make  payment  when  requested  by 
the  financial  secretary,  he  shall  not  be  entitled  to  receive  the  quarterly 
password;  and  should  any  member  be  six  months  in  arrears  in  said  pay- 
ments, it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  financial  secretary  to  notify  him  of 
the  same,  and  of  the  penalty  attached  to  further  neglect;  which  penalty 
shall  be  set  forth  in  the  by-laws:  Provided,  That  no  penalty  shall  attach 
when  sickness  is  the  cause  of  the  delinquency. 

Sec.  6.  Absence  from  the  city  shall  in  no  case  exonerate  a  member 
from  dues  during  such  absence;  but  any  member  may  draw  his  certificate 
of  absence,  by  paying  all  dues  and  fines  standing  against  him;  and,  upon 
again  presenting  his  certificate,  shall  be  reinstated  in  the  union:  Pro- 
Tided,  He  shall  have  been  guilty  of  no  acts  in  violation  of  the  constitu- 
tion and  by-laws  of  the  union  during  his  absence. 

Sec.  7.  A  majority  of  the  members  present  shall  decide  whether 
charges  alleged  against  a  member  are  of  such  a  nature  as  to  be  cognii- 
able  by  the  rules  of  the  union. 

Sec.  8.  All  accusations  against  the  character  of  a  member  must  be 
made  in  writing,  and  referred  to  a  committee  of  five,  who  shall  examine 
into  the  same,  and  recommend  to  the  union  what  order  shall  be  taken 
upon  them. 

Article   IV. — OMcers._ 

Section  i.  The  officers  of  the  union  shall  consist  of  a  president, 
vice-president,  recording  secretary,  financial  secretary,  treasurer,  busi- 
ness committee  (consisting  of  15  members),  and  a  doorkecncr. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  president  to  preside  at  all  meet- 
ings, and  preserve  order  therein,  draw  all  orders  on  the  treasurer  au- 
thorized by  the  union,  and  transact  such  other  business  as  may  apper- 
tain to  his  office. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  vice-president  to  perform  all  the 
duties  appertaining  to  the  office  of  the  president,  in  case  of  his  absence, 
resignation  or  death.  '    . 

Sec.  4.  The  recording  secretary  shall  attend  all  meetings  of  the 
union,  and  keep  correct  and  plain  minutes  ot  the  proccedinps;  notify  all 
persons  elected  members,  and  also  all  persons  elected  to  ofhcc,  not  pres- 
ent at  the  time  of  election,  and  transact  such  other  business  as  the 
union  mav,  from  time  to  time,  assign  him.  I'or  the  performance  of 
these  duties  he  shall  be  allowed  the  sum  of  $1    for  each  meeting. 

Sec.  5.  The  financial  secretary  shall  attend  all  meetings  of  the 
union,  and  shall  keep  accurate  accounts  of  all  dues  and  fines,  and  shall 
collect  them.  And  all  moncvs  he  may  collect  shall  be  immcdiatclv  paid 
to  the  treasurer,  in  the  presence  of  the  presiding  officer.  He  shall  al-ui 
keep  a  list  of  those  members  who  shall  be  more  th.in  three  months  111 
arrears,    and   may   hand   their  names   to   the   presiding  officer.      Mr   .i.,i| 

notify  all  members  who  may  be  six  months  in  arrears,  and  -f  •  •-  •- 

attached   to  further  neglect.      He  shall   furnish  to  any  mem 

desire    it    (provided   said    member    sh.ill    first   pay   all    arrr.v 

him)    a  certificate   of   absence,  certifying  he   is  in   good   st  >■ 

union.     He  shall  also  perform  such  other  duties  pertaining   • 

cial  business  as   the  union  may   from  time  to  time  direct. 

formance  of  these  duties  he  shall  be  entitled  to  the  sum  <■■ 

meeting:    Fro-iJcf/.  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  both  the  r^  ^ 

retarv    and    the    financial    secretary    to    deliver    over,    within    scvr,,    .,..>•» 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


after  the  expiration  of  their  terms  of  office,  resignation  or  removal,  all 
books,  papers,  or  other  property  belonging  to  the  union. 

Sec.  6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  to  receive  all  sums  of 
money  in  behalf  of  the  union  from  the  financial  secretary,  and  give  his 
receipt  therefor.  He  shall  keep  true  and  accurate  accounts  of  all  the 
money  received  and  expended  on  behalf  of  the  union.  He  shall  make 
no  disbursements  without  a  warrant  from  the  president,  attested  by  the 
financial  and  recording  secretaries.  He  shall  also  give  such  security  fur 
the  safe-keeping  of  all  moneys  belonging  to  the  union  as  the  business 
committee  shall  deem  necessary.  He  shall  also,  within  seven  days  after 
the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office,  or  in  the  event  of  his  resignation  or 
removal,  deliver  over  to  his  successor  all  moneys  or  property  in  his  pos- 
session belonging  to  the  union. 

Sec.  7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  business  committee  to  attend  to 
the  general  correspondence  of  the  union.  They  shall  receive  reports 
from  all  committees  connected  with  the  state  of  the  trade  in  this  city 
and  county,  and  elsewhere,  ana  all  statistics  in  connection  therewith, 
and  perform  such  other  business  as  the  union  may  from  time  to  time 
direct.     They  shall  make  reports  to  the  union  at  every  meeting. 

Sec.  8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  doorkeeper  to  attend  at  the 
door,  and  he  shall  admit  no  member  without  the  password.  He  shall  an- 
nounce the  name  of  any  member  at  the  door  without  the  password  to 
the  president,  who  shall  admit  him  and  give  him  the  password:  Pro- 
vided, He  shall  be  in  good  standing  in  the  union. 

Article   V. — Elections. 

Section  1.  The  election  for  all  officers  of  this  union  shall  be  held, 
annually,  on  the  second   Saturday  in  August. 

Sec.  2.  The  judges  of  the  election  (to  consist  of  two)  shall  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  president  on  the  evening  of  the  election,  which  election 
shall  be  held  by  general  ticket.  They  shall  announce  the  result  of  the 
election  to  the  president,  who  shall  declare  to  the  union  the  names  of 
the  successful  candidates.* 

Sec.  3.  Should  a  vacancy  occur  among  the  officers  of  the  union, 
(not  otherwise  provided  for)  the  presiding  officer  shall  give  notice  of 
the  fact,  and  an  election  shall  be  immediately  held  to  supply  the  va- 
cancy for  the  remainder  of  the  term. 

Article  VI. — The  funds. 

The  funds  of  the  union  shall  be  applied  to  defraying  the  necessary 
expenses,  and  for  such  other  purposes  as  may  be  provided  for  in  the  by- 
laws. 

Article  VII. — Meetings. 

Section  i.  The  stated  meetings  of  the  union  shall  be  held  on  the 
second   Saturday  in  each  month. 

Sec.  2.  In  the  recess  a  special  meeting  of  the  union  may  be  called 
by  the  application  of  a  majority  of  the  business  committee  to  the  presi- 
dent, in  writing,  when  he  shall  direct  the  recording  secretary  to  give 
public  notice  calling  the  union  together. 

Sec.   3.     Eleven  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Article   \'III. — Disputes. 

Should  difference  or  disputes  occur  between  the  employer  and  cm- 
ployed,  or  between  the  journeymen  in  an  office,  in  which  rnembers  of 
this  union  are  employed,  (relative  to  any  matter  within  the  jurisdiction 
of  this  union,)  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  such  members  to  adjudge,  if  pos- 
sible, the  matter  in  dispute;  and  in  case  either  party  shall  feel  aggrieved, 
the  difference  may  be  brought  before  the  union,  whose  decision  shall  be 
final. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  121 

Article  IX. — Amendmetils,  dissolution,  and  by-laws. 

Sec.  1.  No  alteration  or  amendment  shall  be  made  to  this  constitu- 
tion, without  the  concurrence  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present  at  *. 
stated  meeting;  and  the  proposed  alteration  or  amendment,  which  must 
be  in  writing,  shall  be  read  by  the  president  at  two  successive  mectmg« 
before  final  action  shall  be  had  thereon. 

Sec.  2.  No  resolution  or  motion,  tending  to  dissolve  the  union, 
shall  be  in  order,  while  eleven  members  require  its  continuance. 

Sec.  3.  In  addition  to  the  constitution,  the  union  shall  make  all 
necessary  by-laws  and  rules  of  order:  Provided,  They  contain  nothing 
inconsistent  with  the  constitution:  And  prozidcd  also.  That  no  fine  it 
other  penalties  imposed  by  the  constitution  and  by-laws  shall,  in  any 
case,  be  remitted,  excepting  cnly  that  of  expulsion,  which  may  be  com- 
muted by  the  votes  of  a  majority  present  to  a  fine  of  not  less  than  $3, 
nor  more  than  $5. 

Article  X. — Password  and  pledge. 

Section  i.  The  president  shall,  at  the  end  of  every  quarter,  chanite 
the  password,  which  he  sliall  give  to  every  member  who  may  be  in  gotid 
standing  in  the  union,  separately  and  in  a  whisper  to  each:  and  no  mem- 
ber shall  make  use  of  the  password  for  other  purpose  than  to  enter  the 
union. 

Sec.  2.  Should  the  printers  of  any  or  every  other  city  in  the  L'ni.m 
form  themselves  into  similar  unions,  and  desire  to  connect  with  thi* 
union,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  president  to  establish  such  connection; 
and  he  shall,  provided  the  majority  present  assent,  establish  a  traveling 
password,  which  shall  be  legal  for  one  year,  and  grant  traveling  ccrliti- 
cates  to  members,  certifying  that  the  holder  is  in  good  standing  m  the 
union,  and  recommending  him  to  the  kindness  and  protection  of  all 
unions  with  which  this  union  may  connect. 

Sec.  3.  Should  a  convention  or  congress  of  delegates  from  the  dif- 
ferent trades  or  bodies  of  workingmen  in  this  city  and  county,  or  else- 
where, be  at  any  time  held,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  union  to  elect 
two  or  more  delegates  for  the  purpose  of  representing  this  union. 

Article  XI. — Honorary  members. 

Section  i.  Any  person  of  a  good  moral  character,  who  may  have 
learned  the  art  and  mystery  of  printing,  may  be  proposed  for  honorary 
membership,  if  at  the  time  of  such  proposition,  he  shall  be  out  o»  «"' 
business,  and  known  as  a  friend  to  the  principles  of  this  union:  and  it 
elected  by  a  majority  of  the  members  present,  he  shall  receive  from  the 
president   such  certificate  of  the   fact,   as   may  be   provided   for  the   pur- 

^°^^'Sec.  2.  Honorary  members  shall  be  admitted  to  all  the  meelinps  of 
the  union,  and  enjoy  the  same  privileges  as  members,  with  the  exception 
of  the  right  to  vote  or  hold  office,  and  the  title  to  benefits. 

BY-LAWS. 

Article   I.— Meeting. 

The  hour  of  meeting  shall  be,  from  the  ist  of  Ocfjbe^  »"  't!/*',°8 
April,  at  7.30  o'clock;  from  the  ist  of  April  to  the  ist  of  October,  at  H 
o'clock. 

Article  II. — Installation  of  officers. 

Section  i.  All  officers-elect  shall  be  installed  <>"  «''«  «"' . '"'^ 
meeting  after  the  election:  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  president  to 
install  all  newly  elected  officers.  .         .         ,  . 

Sec.  2.  All  newly  elected  officers,  upon  being  ^'•'^"""^. '  V'"^ *  ;„5 
the  presiding  officer,  shall   range  themselves  in   front  of  h«  <Jc.k.  ana 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


subscribe  to  the  following  pledge,  which  he  shall  dictate  to  them: — "I 
do  hereby  pledge  myself  to  faithfully  perform  the  duties  of  the  office  to 
which  I  am  elected,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  and  for  the  benefit  and 
honor  of  the  union." 

Article  III. — Committees — How  and  when  appointed,  duties,  etc. 

Section  i.  The  president  shall  appoint  all  special  committees,  and 
fill  all  vacancies,  vmless  otherwise  provided  for. 

Sec.  2.  The  business  committee  shall,  in  addition  to  the  duties  pre- 
scribed in  the  constitution,  perform  the  following: — They  shall  keep  ac- 
curate accounts  of  the  number  of  men  and  boys  employed  in  each  office 
in  the  city  and  incorporated  districts,  as  well  as  of  any  suspicious  cir- 
cumstances in  connection  therewith,  which  may  be  reported  by  the  chair- 
man of  any  office:  they  shall  also  have  charge  of  all  correspondence  of 
the  union,  and  keep,  as  neariy  as  possible,  a  correct  account  of  the  state 
of  the  trade  in  other  cities  with  which  we  may  connect;  they  shall  also, 
whenever  they  deem  the  interest  of  the  craft  demands  it,  call  special 
meetings  of  the  union.  It  shall  also  be  their  duty  to  recommend  to  the 
union  any  course  of  action  which,  in  the  performance  of  their  duties, 
they  believe  to  be  beneficial  to  the  union  and  craft  in  general.  For  the 
Ijetter  performance  of  these  duties,  the  chairman  may,  at  his  option, 
divide  the  committee  into  subcommittees,  each  to  consist  of  at  least  two, 
for  the  management  of  particular  branches  of  the  business. 

Sec.  3.  The  business  committee  shall  elect  from  their  number  three 
auditors,  for  the  purpose  ot  auditing  and  settling  the  accounts  of  the 
financial  secretary  and  treasurer,  who  shall  make  report  thereof  in  writ- 
ing quarterly,  to  the  business  committee. 

Sec.  4.  The  business  committee  shall  be  constituted  as  follows: — 
Five  members  from  hands  on  daily  papers,  and  ten  from  those  in  book 
and  job  offices  and  on  weekly  papers  respectively;  and  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  judges  of  the  election  to  select  from  the  list  voted  for.  the 
five  hands  on  daily  papers  having  the  highest  number  of  votes,  and  the 
remaining  ten  from  the  book  and  job  offices  and  weekly  papers  respec- 
tively, having  the  highest  number  of  votes,  who  shall  be  declared  duly 
elected:  Provided,  No  two  of  said  committee  shall  be  elected  from  one 
office. 

Sec.  5.  All  special  committees  shall  report  in  writing  at  the  next 
stated  meeting,  unless  otherwise  ordered. 

Sec.  6.  No  member  shall  be  appointed  on  a  special  committee,  un- 
less present  at  the  time  of  appointment;  nor  shall  any  member  be  com- 
pelled to  serve  two  successive  terms  on  any  one  committee. 

Article  IV. — Reliefs,   etc. 

Section  1.  When  the  hands  in  any  office  shall  be  called  upon  to 
quit  work  in  vindication  of  their  just  rights,  as  prescribed  in  the  scale 
of  prices  adopted  by  this  union,  each  housekeeper  and  married  man  shall 
be  entitled  to  receive  $5  per  week,  and  each  single  man,  not  a  house- 
keeper, $3,  until  he  obtain  employnent:  Provided,  That  no  hand  or  body 
of  hands  shall  so  quit  work  without  the  sanction  of  the  chairman  of  the 
business  committee;  but  should  he  not  deem  the  matter  of  sufficient  im- 
portance to  warrant  him  in  sanctioning  the  strike,  he  shall,  if  requested 
to  do  so  by  the  parties  interested,  call  a  special  meeting  of  the  union, 
when  the  decision  of  a  majority  present  shall  be  final:  Provided,  also, 
That  this  section  shall  not  go  into  effect  until  the  present  difficulty  with 
the  employers  be  settled. 

Sec.  2.  If  any  member  on  a  strike  shall  refuse  employment  when 
offered  to  him,  he  shall  forfeit  all  claim  upon  the  union  for  the  weekly 
allowance:  Provided,  That  if  such  member  do  not  earn  by  such  employ- 
ment a  sum  equivalent  to  that  provided  for  in  the  preceding  section,  the 
balance  shall  be  made  up  to  him  by  the  union;  his  bills  and  receipts  be- 
ing considered  sufficient  vouchers  of  the  amount  he  earns  by  such  em- 
ployment. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  ,  ,  • 

Sec.  3.  If  any  member  shall  be  discovered  attempting  to  impose 
upon  this  union,  by  making  false  returns  of  the  amount  he  has  earnc<i 
while  on  a  strike,  he  shall  be  debarred  from  further  bcnctits  for  the 
period  of  six  months,  and  shill  be  incompetent  to  fill  any  office,  or  take- 
part  in  any  debate  in  this  union  for  one  year. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  president,  when  any  h.nnd  or  body 
of  hands  are  legally  on  a  strike,  to  keep  a  list  of  their  names,  and  to 
draw  weekly  an  order  on  the  treasurer,  attested  by  the  recording  and 
financial  secretaries,  in  favor  of  each  hand,  for  the  sum  which  may  be 
due  him  under  these  by-laws. 

Sec.  5.  Strangers  arriving  in  the  city  shall  be  allowed  to  work,  un- 
til the  next  stated  meeting  of  the  union,  when  they  must  become  mem- 
bers. Should  he  or  they  neglect  or  refuse  to  join  the  union,  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  hands  employed  in  the  office  to  quit  work,  and  insist 
upon  his  or  their  discharge. 

Sec.  6.  If  any  stranger,  a  member  of  our  craft,  shall  not  obtain 
employment  within  one  week,  and  decides  to  leave,  he  shall  be  entitled 
to  receive  a  sum  not  exceeding  $4,  to  defray  his  expenses  out  of  the 
city;  an  order  for  which  may  be  drawn  by  the  president  attested  by  the 
recording  and  financial  secretaries,  on  the  treasurer:  Provided,  The 
union  from  which  he  holds  his  certificate  creates  a  similar  provision  in 
favor  of  members  of  this  union. 

Article  \\ — Members,  their  duties,  etc. 

Section  i.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  hands  employed  in  every  of- 
fice to  appoint  from  their  number  a  chairman,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to 
report  to  the  business  committee,  in  writing,  once  a  month,  the  condi- 
tion of  the  office  in  which  he  may  be  chairman:  the  number  of  men  and 
boys  employed,  and  such  other  matters  as  he  may  deem  of  importance  to 
the  union.  He  shall  also  be  the  medium  of  communication  between  the 
hands  and  the  employer,  in  all  questions  cognizable  by  the  rules  of  this 
union.  It  shall  also  be  tiis  duty  to  announce  to  all  strangers  going  to 
work  in  the  office  the  necessity  of  becoming  members  of  the  union,  as 
prescribed  by  section  5.  Article  I\',  of  these  by-laws.  He  shall  also  keep 
a  schedule  in  which  members  of  this  union  who  are  unemployed  may  in- 
scribe their  names  and  residences,  and,  should  any  vacancy  occur,  he 
shall  notify  them  of  the  same  immediately.  Should  he  neglect  to  per- 
form any  of  these  duties,  he  shall  be  fined  in  a  sum  not  less  than  ^s 
cents,  nor  more  than  50,  at  the  option  of  the  union. 

Sec.  2.  If  any  member  accept  work  in  any  office  where  the  hand* 
have  struck  on  any  question  involving  the  rules  of  this  union,  and  sh.ill 
refuse  to  quit  work  when  ordered  to  do  so  by  the  chairman  of  the  office, 
he  shall  be  expelled  from  the  union. 

Sec.  3.  In  no  case  shall  members  of  this  union  work  in  .my  office. 
after  the  2d  day  of  September,  1850,  where  hands  arc  employed  who  re- 
fuse to  join  the  union;  and  should  any  member  do  so,  he  shall  be  fined 
or  expelled,  at  the  option  of  the  union.  ,    ■      .  # 

Sec.  4.  No  member  expelled  from  this  union  shall  be  readmitted  for 
a  sum  less  than  $3  ;  and  his  monthly  dues  shall  be  charged  to  him  from 
the  time  of  his  expulsion  to  his  rcadmission,  and  he  shall  not  be  eligible 
to  any  office  in  this  union  for  one  year  after  his  rcadmission. 

Sec.  5.  All  journevmen  printers  residing  in  Pliiladelphi.i  at  the 
time  of  the  formation  of  this  union,  who  shall  refu.se  to  jom  on  or  br 
fore  the  2d  day  of  September,  1850,  shall  be  charged  %i  mili.ition  fee: 
Provided,  That  on  application  of  any  member  of  the  craft.  *''"  '^  con- 
scientiously opposed  to  the  principle  of  secret  association,  atid  who  may 
signify  his  disposition  to  adhere  to  our  scale  of  prices,  rules,  cic.^he 
shall,  if  the  majority  present  consent,  be  deemed  an  h(m..r:irv  ;•  . ■•■  rr 
of  this  union,  and  shall  be  entitled,  should  he  desire  it    t  > 

the  presi<ent  a  certificate,  by  paying  such  sum  as  may  I 
vote  of  the  union:  And  provided  further.  That  per- 
membership  under  the  first  provision  of  thi?  section,  and  " 

receiving  the   advanced   rates,   shall   be   willing,   for  the   whulc   time   titi* 


124 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


employed  to  pay  such  percentage  of  the  advance  as  may  be  decided  upon 
by  the  union. 

Sec.  6.  Any  member  six  months  in  arrears  for  dues  and  fines,  who 
shall  not  pay  such  arrearages  at  the  next  stated  meeting  shall  be  sus- 
pended; and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  hands  employed  with  him  to  quit 
work,  and  insist  upon  his  leaving  the  office  or  paying  such  arrearages: 
Provided,  He  shall  be  previously  notified  by  the  financial  secretary,  as 
provided  in  the  constitution. 

Article  VI. — Apprentices. 

Section  i.  Any  apprentice  in  the  last  year  of  his  time,  who  rnay 
express  a  desire  to  become  a  member  of  this  union,  may  do  so  by  paying 
the  initiation  fee;  but  no  monthly  dvies  shall  be  exacted  from  him,  nor 
shall  he  have  the  right  to  vote  or  take  part  m  any  debate  until  he  attains 
his  majority  when  he  shall  be  considered  a  full  member. 

Sec.  2.  No  member  of  this  union  shall  work  in  any  office  where  the 
number  of  apprentices  ranges  over  the  following  ratio: — Book  and  job 
offices  shall  be  entitled  to  2  apprentices;  where  more  than  9  and  less 
than  15  journeymen  are  permanently  employed,  3  apprentices;  where 
more  than  15  and  less  than  20  journeymen  are  permanently  employed,  4 
apprentices;  and  in  no  case  whatever  shall  more  than  5  apprentices  be 
allowed  in  any  one  office:  Provided,  That  this  section  shall  not  apply  to 
offices  where  a  greater  number  of  legal  apprentices  are  employed  at  the 
time  of  the  formation  of  this  union. 

Sec.  3.  Should  attempts  be  made  to  introduce  apprentices  into  any 
office  where  the  above  ratio  are  already  employed,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  chairman  of  said  office  to  report  the  fact  to  the  business  committee; 
and  should  they,  after  an  investigation,  be  satisfied  that  the  spirit  of  the 
preceding  section  has  been  violated,  it  shall  be  their  duty  to  order  the 
hands  employed  in  such  oflSce  to  quit  work  and  protest  against  the  intro- 
duction of  such  apprentice  or  apprentices;  and  should  such  hands,  or 
any  one  or  more  of  them,  refuse  to  quit  work  when  so  ordered  by  the 
business  committee,  he  or  they  shall  be  fined  or  expelled  at  the  option  of 
the  union. 

Sec.  4.  No  member  of  this  union  shall  work  in  any  office  where  a 
boy  shall  leave  his  employer  after  he  is  16  years  of  age,  unless  said  em- 
ployer shall  die  or  decline  business,  or  said  boy  shall  be  otherwise  legally 
discharged. 

Sec.  5.  No  member  of  this  union  shall  work  in  any  newspaper  of- 
fice where   an  apprentice  or  apprentices  are  employed. 

Article   VII. — Tzvo-thirders,   etc. 

Section  i.  Any  individual  working  for  less  than  the  scale  of 
prices  of  this  union,  who  is  not  bound  by  indenture  or  by  contract  for  a 
term  of  five  vfars,  shall  be  deemed  a  rat,  and  a  list  of  such  individuals, 
with  a  description  of  their  persons,  shall  be  kept  by  the  business  com- 
mittee; and  it  shall  be  their  duty  to  furnish  any  body  of  printers  in 
other  cities  or  towns,  who  may  connect  with  us,  a  copy  of  the  same, 
with  a  request  to  transcribe  and  retain  it  for  reference. 

Article   VIII. — Fines,    etc. 

Section  :.  Any  officer  absent  at  roll  call  shall  be  fined  12^^  cents; 
if  absent  over  half  an  hour  25  cents. 

Sec  2.  Any  officer  having  charge  of  books,  who  shall  fail  to  have 
them  in  the  meeting,  at   roll  call,  shall  be  fined  25   cents. 

Sec.  3.  Any  member  appointed  on  a  committee,  who  shall  refuse 
or  neglect  to  perform,  his  duty  shall  be  fined  25  cents  for  each  neglect 
or  refusal. 

Sec  4.  The  recording  secretary  shall  be  subject  to  a  fine  of  25 
cents  for  negVcting  to  perform   properly  the  duties  of  his  office. 

Sec   5.    The    financial    secretary    shall    be    subject    to    the    following 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTKRS  ,J5 

fines:  For  neglecting  to  notify  members  when  in  arrears  for  dues  or 
fines,  each  offense  i2'/2  cents;  for  neglecting  to  make  quarterly  or  other 
reports,  50  cents;  for  neglecting  to  perform  such  other  duties  as  the 
constitution  or  union  may  require,  for  each  offense  25  cents. 

Sec.  6.  The  treasurer  and  auditors  shall  each  be  subject  to  the  fol- 
lowing fines:  For  neglecting  to  make  quarterly  or  other  reports,  50 
cents  each;  for  neglecting  to  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  re- 
quired of  them  by  the  union,  25  cents  for  each  offense. 

Sec.  7.  Any  member  into.xicated,  or  making  use  of  profane  lan- 
guage in  the  meeting,  or  refusing  to  obey  the  president  when  called  to 
order,  or  using  disrespectful  language  toward  the  officers  or  members 
of  the  union,  shall  be  subject  to  such  fines  as  may  be  imposed  by  the 
union. 

Sec.  8.  Members  neglecting  to  notify  the  financial  secretary  when 
they  change  their  residences,  shall  be  fined  n'A  cents. 

Sec.  9.  Any  member  of  the  business  committee,  who  shall  neglect 
business  or  duties  intrusted  to  him,  shall  be  fined  25  cents  for  each 
offense. 

Article  IX. — Miscellaneous. 

Proposition  for  Membership. — Every  member  proposing  a  candi- 
date for  admission  shall  do  so  in  writing,  with  his  name  and  address; 
and,  provided  no  objection  be  made,  the  candidate  may  be  elected  ami 
introduced  the  same  evening. 

Payment  of  Bills. — All  bills  against  the  union  must  be  presented 
to  a  meeting  before  being  paid,  unless  the  bill  contracted  has  been  or- 
dered by  the  union. 

Change  of  Residence. — Members  changing  their  residence,  shall 
give  notice  to  the  financial  secretary  within  one  month. 

Divulging  Private  Business. — Any  member  revealing  business  of 
this  union  ordered  to  be  kept  secret,  shall  be  subject  to  such  punish- 
ment as  the  union  may  direct.  The  doorkeeper  shall  receive  $1  per 
meeting  for  his  services,  and  shall  admit  no  one  without  the  password, 
except  by  order  of  the  president.  Should  any  member  be  at  the  door 
without  the  password,  he  shall  announce  the  fact  together  with  the  name 
of  the  member,  to  the  president. 

Alteration  of  By-Laws. — No  proposition  to  alter,  suspend,  or  an- 
nul these  by-laws,  shall  be  acted  upon  until  it  shall  have  been  submitlc.l. 
in  writing,  to  a  previous  regular  meeting  of  the  union;  nor  then,  with- 
out the  concurrence  of  two-thirds  of  all   the  members  present. 

APPENDIX  A,  No.  9. 
Constitution  and  Documents  of  the  First  National  ConTcn- 

tion  of  Printers,  1836. 

CONSTITUTION   OF   THE   NATIONAL  TYlH)GRAPnir.\T     ASSd 

CIATION,   OF  NOVEMP.ER   u,   i8j6.  Ab  AMENDKn 

SEP'I  EMBER  5,   1837.  (a) 


a  This  constitution  was  originally  adopted  at  the  Washington  meet^ 
ing  of  the  National  Typographical  Society  m  1836.  but  '"  f'y'"  •«■"»* 
amended  the  following  year,  when  the  name  was  changed  to  >«tion«l 
Typographical   Association.  .  ,  _^.;,„    ,< 

Whereas  experience  has  proved  that  the  interests  and  prosper.l>  "I 
the  typographical  profession  of  the  United  ^<a»"  ""  ""'  *""  ""•■""  r»?i, 
and  promoted  but  by  the  united  efforts  of  the  whole  body.  ""^  "'  'J', 
acter^nd  standing  properly  elevated  by  the  feeble  ^ff"'''' .•'/, '";''^  '\"h'; 
societies:  And  whereas  it  has  become  necessary  for  the  *«•''"' ,"''';' 
craft  that  a  bond  of  friendship,  feel.ng.  and  nbhg.it.on.  ^^'f'  "^\ 
amongst  all  societies  throughout  the  Union:  Having  '"  ^J^*,'"'  ^^ 
complishment  of  these  desirable  results,  and  of  l^^'"?"  .°"'  f""»' j;^,"^' 
to  our  employers  and  ourselves,  the  several  local  societies  at  present  or^ 
ganized,    do  agree  to   form   themselves  into  a   united  society,   to  be  ue- 


126  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


Article  I.  (b) 

Section  i.  This  association  shall  be  known  and  called  by  the  name 
of  the  "National  Typographical  Association,"  and  shall  be  composed  of 
such  local  associations  as  shall  acknowledge  this  constitution  and  its 
accompanying  by-laws. 

Sec.  2.  Each  local  society  shall  be  entitled,  for  twenty  contributing 
members  or  less,  to  one  delegate  to  this  association;  over  twenty  and 
not  exceeding  forty,  two  delegates;  above  forty,  three  delegates;  to  be 
duly  elected  from  the  contributing  members  of  said  society:  Provided, 
Nothing  herein  contained  shall  prevent  any  society  from  filling  up  their 
delegation  by  pro.xies,  if  said  proxies  be  contributing  members  or  mem- 
bers of  some  society  attached  to  this  association. 

Article  II. 

A  convention,  consisting  of  delegates  from  the  several  local  associa- 
tions, shall  be  held  annually — the  convention  in  session  having  power  to 
appoint  the  place  of  meeting  of  its  successor. 

Article  III. 

The  convention  shall  have  power  to  pass  such  general  laws  for  the 
government  of  local  societies  as  may  not  conflict  with  any  regulations 
of  said  societies,  so  far  as  they  exercise,  or  may  hereafter  exercise,  the 
right  to  establish  prices  for  the  district  of  country  over  which  they  have 
jurisdiction. 

Article  IV,. 

Section  i.  The  officers  of  this  association  shall  be  a  president, 
vice-president,  recording  and  corresponding  secretaries,  and  treasurer, 
who  shall  be  elected  annually,  bv  ballot,  and  hold  office  until  their  suc- 
cessors shall  be  chosen.  A  majority  of  the  votes  of  all  the  members 
present,  being  necessary  to  constitute  an  election. 

Sec.   2.    The   officers   of   this   association   shall   constitute   a   board  of 

nominated  The  National  Typographical  Association,  and  enact  for  their 
government  the  following  constitution: 

b  Below  will  be  found  noted  the  changes  made  from  the  constitu- 
tion of  1836: 

Article  I,  Section  i.  This  society  shall  be  known  and  called  by 
the  name  of  "The  National  Typographical  Society,"  and  shall  be  com- 
posed of  delegates  from  each  regularly  organized  society  in  the  United 
States. 

Section  2  did  not  contain  the  proviso  of  that  of  1837,  but  did  con- 
tain after  the  words  "contributing  members  of  said  society"  this  sen- 
tence: "The  delegates  thus  elected  shall  have  power  to  enact  all  gen- 
eral laws  for  the  government  of  local  societies."  which  is  clearly  incon- 
sistent with  Article  II  of  1836  and  Article  III  of  1837. 

Article  X.  The  constitution  of  1836  left  the  per  cent  blank  and 
there  was  slightly  different  wording. 

Article  XI  of  constitution  of  1836  is:  "The  first  meeting  of  the 
National  Society  shall  be  in  the  city  of  New  York,  on  the  first  Monday 
of  September  next;  [1837]  and  thereafter  at  such  time  and  place  as  the 
society  shall  annually  determine." 

Article  XII  of  1836  said  "an  engraved  card,  to  be  called  the  union 
card." 

Section  2  of  Article  Xli  of  1837  does  not  appear  in  constitution  of 
1836. 

Article  XV  of  1836  does  not  appear  in  that  of  1837,  and  was  as 
follows:  "So  soon  as  any  local  society  shall  ratify  this  constitution, 
they  may,  immediately  thereafter,  elect  a  delegate  or  delegates,  under 
the  provision  of  the  same,  to  meet,  as  is  provided  for  in  Article  XI  of 
this  constitution,  fully  empowered  to  act  on  any  of  the  propositions 
emanating  from  this  convention   for  the  consideration  of  local  societies." 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  ,27 

control,  for  the  adjustment  of  any  difficulties  which  may  arise  durinf; 
the  recess  of  the  convention,  subject  to  the  supervision  of  the  said  »m<j- 
ciation  at  their  next  meeting. 

Sec.  3.  The  board  of  control  shall  also  have  power  to  originate  ail 
correspondence  necessary  for  the  management  ann  welfare  of  the  pro- 
fession. It  shall  be  their  duty  also  to  hold  correspondence  with  local 
societies,  and  such  European  societies  as  may  desire  to  correspond  with 
them.  They  shall  solicit  from  said  societies  in  Europe  and  America  in- 
formation of  the  condition  of  the  trade:  and  lay  before  the  ass.K-i.ition. 
at  each  annual  meeting,  a  message,  accompanied  by  all  corrcsivunlrnce 
and  documents  which  they  may  have  received  in  their  official  capacity. 
They  shall  give  a  statement  of  the  expenses  incurred  by  them:  also, 
such  plans  for  the  future  management  of  this  board  as  experience  may 
suggest. 

Sec.  4.  The  board  shall  have  power  to  fill  all  vacancies  that  may 
occur  in  their  body  during  the  recess  of  the  convention. 

Article  V. 

Section  i.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the  con- 
vention, and  preserve  order  therein — shall  put  all  questions  and  an- 
nounce the  decision;   he  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  upon  all  questions. 

Sec.  2.  The  president  shall  sign  all  bills  passed  by  the  convention, 
and  all   drafts  upon  the  treasury. 

Sec.  3.  In  case  of  the  absence  of  the  president  the  vice-president 
shall  preside. 

Article  VI. 

Section  i.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  recording  secretary  to  keep 
correct  minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  convention,  file  and  preserve 
all  papers  intrusted  to  his  care. 

Sec  2.  He  shall  receive  and  pay  over  to  the  treasurer  all  moneys 
that  may  come  into  his  hands  for  the  use  of  the  National  ,\«sociati<in. 
and  take  receipts  from  that  officer  for  the  same;  also,  attest  all  drafts 
upon  the  treasury. 

Article  VII. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  corresponding  secretary  to  carry  on  all 
correspondence  with  European  societies,  and  to  answer  calls  for  infor- 
mation from  local  societies  in  the  United  States.  He  shall  preserve  a 
correct  copy  of  his  correspondence,  and  lay  the  same  before  the  associ- 
ation at  its  annual  meetings. 

Article  VIII. 

The   treasurer   shall    receive   all   moneys    from   the   recording  seere- 

tarv.  and  receipt  to  him  for  the  same;  pay  all  bills  passed  by  Hi--  c-n 
ven'tion,  signed  bv  the  president,  and  attested  by  the  sccret.iry;  v^--  1 
true  account  of  all  moneys  received  and  disbursed,  .ind  make  .t  •■■  '• 
at  each  annual  meeting  of  the  association.  He  shall,  when  lrK.i..v  ■■•. 
rected  by  the  president,  immediately  deliver  over  to  his  successor  m 
office  all  moneys,  books,  etc.,  in  his  possession  belonging  to  the  a**^'"; 
tion.  He  shall  give  such  surety  for  the  faithful  performance  of  h«s 
duties  as  the  convention  may  deem  satisfactory. 

.Article  IX. 

Immediately  after  their  election,  the  president,  vice  prrspimt.  sec- 
retaries and  treasurer  shall  assent  to  the  following  declaration. 

"You.  A  B,  do  solemnlv  pledge  your  w;ord  and  honor,  in  the  prr« 
ence  of  this  convention,  that  you  will,  to  the  b«tof  your  ab.l.tv  d..^ 
charge  the  various  duties  incumbent  on  you  as  -  „    of    ine  .^aii"n«i 

Typographical  Association  during  your  term  of  omce. 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


Article  X. 

Each  society,  or  association,  shall  annually  pay  into  the  treasury  of 
this  association,  25  per  cent,  on  the  whole  amount  received  into  their 
treasuries,  for  defraying  the  expenses  of  the  attendance  of  their  dele- 
gates, and  other  necessary  expenditures;  but  should  the  amount  in  the 
treasury  be  insufficient,  an  additional  tax  shall  be  levied  on  the  local  so- 
cieties, proportioned  on  each  according  to  amounts  last  paid  in. 

Article  XI. 

A  majority  of  the  societies  represented  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for 
the  transaction  of  business;  no  money  to  be  appropriated  but  by  a  vote 
of  two-thirds  of  the  delegates  in  attendance. 

Article  XII. 

Section  i.  There  shall  be  issued  by  the  officers  of  the  National  As- 
sociation, in  blank  form,  (under  the  control  of  that  body)  to  local  so- 
cieties, for  the  use  of  their  members,  a  card,  to  be  called  the  "union 
card,"  with  suitable  designs  and  inscriptions;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  local  societies  to  issue  one  of  these  cards  to  every  member  in  good 
standing,  when  about  to  leave  the  section  of  country  over  which  they 
may  have  jurisdiction;  and  on  the  member's  arriving  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  another  society,  and  depositing  his  card  with  the  president,  or  in 
his  absence  with  any  other  officer,  and  receiving  a  certificate  of  such  de- 
posit, it  must  secure  for  him  the  confidence  and  good  offices  of  that 
body;  and,  in  case  of  his  departure,  in  good  standing,  from  said  place, 
the  proper  officers  of  the  society  will  give  him  another  similar  card, 
which  shall  be  his  passport  with  the  next  society.  The  card  to  be  as 
follows: 

This  is  to  certify  that  the  bearer  hereof,  ■  ,  is  a  mem- 
ber  of  the ;   and,   at   the   time   of   issuing  this  card,    is   in 

good  standing,  and  as  such  will  receive  the  confidence,  friendship,  and 
good  offices  of  all  societies  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  National  Asso- 
ciation. 

Given  under  our  hands  at  ,  this  —  day  of  •,   18 — . 

,  President. 

,  Secretary. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  every  member  of  any  association  or 
society,  on  arriving  in  a  place  from  another  section  of  country,  to  wait 
on  some  one  connected  with  the  association,  and  show  his  card.  And 
that  it  be  further  the  duty  of  said  member  waited  on,  to  introduce  (as 
soon  as  practicable)  the  stranger  among  his  craftsmen  of  the  association, 
for  examination  of  card. 

Article  XIII. 

This  constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended  at  any  meeting  of  the 
National  Association,  to  suit  a  majority  of  the  local  societies  then  repre- 
sented: Provided,  No  alteration  shall  be  made  unless  notice  be  given  at 
the  previous  annual  meeting. 

ADDRESS   TO    LOCAL    SOCIETIES    BY   THE    CONVENTION    OF 
THE  NATIONAL  TYPOGRAPHICAL  SOCIETY  IN  1836. 

In  proposing  the  general  rules  for  the  management  of  the  local  so- 
cieties, the  committee  deem  it  a  matter  of  so  much  importance  to  the 
permanency  and  efficiency  of  the  contemplated  union,  that  they  can  not 
forego   the   opportunity   to   impress    upon    the    members   of   such   societies 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    TRINTKRS 


120 


the  strong  necessity  which  exists  for  yielding  so  much  of  opinion,  of 
power,  and  of  government,  as  shall  be  required  to  give  harmony,  stabil- 
ity, and  efficacy  to  the  whole  system.  To  accomplish  the  great  purpose* 
aimed  at,  and  to  secure  a  good  organization,  something  of  conccsM.iii 
much  of  resolution  and  determination — will  be  needed.  The  princip.-il 
object  should  never  be  lost  sight  of — the  glorious  result  thereof  should 
forever  be  kept  in  view,  and  a  comparison  should  be  drawn  between  our 
present  inefficient,  unorganized,  and,  in  too  many  respects,  deplorable 
condition,  with  the  energetic  discipline  and  strength  constituting  its  re- 
verse. 

The  advantages  which  will  accrue  to  the  profession  from  the  adop- 
tion of  some  equitable  plan  of  union,  are  incalculable;  and  the  recom- 
mendations of  the  committee  are  such  as,  in  their  judgment,  will  be 
most  feasible,  provided  a  proper  spirit  of  conciliation,  allied  to  an  un- 
shaken firmness  of  purpose,  shall  be  observed  on  the  part  of  the  local 
societies.  Our  employers,  though  some  of  them  may  be  opposed  to  us  a 
while,  will  eventually  become  convinced  that,  in  endeavormg  to  amclio.- 
rate  our  own  condition,  we  have  not  forgotten  their  interests,  but  have. 
on  the  contrary,  consulted  and  secured  them;  and  your  committee  con- 
ceive that,  in  no  recommendation  of  theirs,  is  the  least  principle  of  right 
infringed  or  reason  violated,  but  strict  and  impartial  justice  extended  to 
all  concerned. 

If  it  be  made  obligatory  upon  the  parents  or  guardians  of  boys  to 
have  them  bound  as  apprentices  for  a  certain  term,  (not  less  than  six 
years),  does  the  employer  suffer  injustice?  By  no  means.  He  is  l)cnc- 
fited.  The  employer,  the  journeymen,  and  the  apprentice,  are  all  bene- 
fited by  this  regulation,  and  the  provision  made  to  bring  into  member- 
ship, in  one  or  the  other  of  the  several  local  societies,  all  who  may  not 
be  connected  therewith — and  after  a  distant  specified  period  to  admit 
none  who  have  not  served  six  years  at  the  trade,  will  be  found,  upon 
proper  reflection,  to  be  productive  of  the  happiest  results,  as  it  will  >c- 
cure  to  the  employer  the  whole  time  of  the  apprentice,  and  prevent  th;>sc 
from  working  as  journeymen  who  have  not  served  a  regular  apprentice- 
ship. ,      .       1         •    • 

The  committee  would,  therefore,  again  urge  upon  the  local  societies 
the  propriety  of  deep  and  mature  deliberation,  and  they  conlidently  hope 
that,  when  the  few  innovations  upon  long-established  usages,  which  the 
nature  of  the  subject  necessarily  imposed,  shall  come  before  them  for 
consideration,  they  will  receive  that  approval  to  which  their  merits  may 
entitle  them.  ....  •  •  .-„ 

[The  regulations  below,  when  adopted  by  the  respective  societies, 
through  their  representatives,  will  become  binding  upon  the  whole,  as 
general  laws,  for  the  government  of  the  craft.]        .,    .      .  , 

.\rticle  I.  Every  apprentice  shall  serve  until  he  be  21  years  01 
age;  and  at  the  time  of  entering  as  an  apprentice  shall  not  be  more  than 
15  years  of  age;  and  every  boy  taken  as  an  apprentice  shall  be  bountl  to 
his  emplover  in  due  form  of  law.  ...  •      .   •   .  ol..  :- 

Art.  '2.  No  runaway  apprentice  shall  be  received  into  any  ofhce  in 
the  United  States  attached  to  the  National  Society,  either  as  an  appren- 

^""^  ART°T"Tny'boy  who  may  be  legally  released  from  his  master,  may 
be  received  into  another  establishment  to  serve  out  the  ^'^V''"''","'  ^"^ 
apprenticeship,  provided  he  has  not  been  legally  released  for  his  own 
bad  conduct.  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^^  ^^^^^^  ^^  ^.^  ^^^^^^  .^    j^„„  »,:L^"v"!f "  ,'':^ 

office  wherein  he  was  indented  shall  cease  «"  »"^..  .»'«•.  "'7,*;;^  n"f  hi.  aiC 
another  office,   and  be   regularly  indented  to  finish   the  term  of   hi.  ap- 

^"■^"!(^'t-  After  the  -  day  of -.  .«-.!«  shall  no.  U  l..f  .  i  - 

any  local  society  to  consider  any  application  f-r  rnemt..- 
panied  by  the  credentials  of.  the  applicant  th.nt  he  had  sr: 
of  six  years  as  a  regularly  indented  aPP'''"*''^*^. »'  '''«  ^'' 

\rt    6     That  after  the  —  day  of  ; —  it  shall  nut  ...      • •    _ 

any  locll  society  to  permit  members  of  said  society  to  work  ...  -..>  otlkc 


130 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


where  boys  may  be  taken  as  apprentices  to  the  printing  business,  to  serve 
for  a  less  period  than   six  years. 

Art.  7.  The  local  societies  shall  have  the  power  to  establish  such 
tariff  of  prices  as  may  be  suitable  to  the  section  of  country  in  which 
they  may  be  located;  always  having  a  due  regard  to  the  wants  of  the  pro- 
fession. 

Art.  8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  local  societies,  working  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  National  Society,  to  sustain  each  other  in  their 
list  of  prices,  or  such  other  regulations  as  they  may  adopt  for  their  gov- 
ernment. 

Art.  9.  That  any  individual  violating  the  constitution  or  regulations 
of  the  local  society  of  the  district  in  which  he  resides,  shall  be  sum- 
moned to  appear  before  the  society  to  which  he  is  attached;  and  if  it 
should  be  proved  to  the  satisfaction  of  said  society  that  the  individual 
has  committed  the  offense,  that  he  shall  be  forthwith  expelled;  and  that 
no  member  of  any  society  be  permitted  to  work  in  an  office  where  he 
may  be  employed,  unless  said  individual  shall  be  reinstated  by  the  society 
from   which   he  had  been  expelled. 

Art.  10.  That  all  local  societies  repeal  so  much  of  their  constitu- 
tions as  requires  a  term  of  apprenticeship  as  a  qualification  for  member- 
ship; and  that  they  admit  all  who  are  at  work  at  the  business  as  jour- 
neymen, so  soon  as  it  shall  be  ascertained  that  the  proposed  regulations 
of  the  convention  upon  this  subject  shall  be  adopted  by  two-thirds  of  the 
societies. 

Art.  II.  Any  person  presenting  a  certificate  of  membership  from 
one  society,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  National  Society,  to  another 
society  under  the  same  jurisdiction,  and  paying  the  monthly  dues  called 
for  by  their  constitution,  shall  be  entitled  to  the  trade  benefits  of  said 
society.  If  he  shall  pay  in  addition  the  usual  initiation  fee,  he  shall  be 
entitled  to  the  full  benefits  of  the  society. 

Art.  12.  In  case  it  shall  be  necessary  in  any  local  society  to  strike 
for  an  advance  of  wages,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  other  societies  to 
contribute  such  sum  as  may  be  necessary  to  sustain  them:  Provided, 
The  board  of  control  of  the  National  Society  previously  sanctions  the 
strike. 

Art.  13.  No  member  of  any  society  shall  contract  for  more  work 
than  he  can  perform  in  person  on  one  machine  or  press  (whether  for  a 
master  printer,  publisher,  or  bookseller)    at  the  same  time. 

Art.  14.  Local  societies  shall  recognize  but  two  classes  of  printers 
— employers  and  journeymen — tliat  is,  persons  who  carry  on  business 
solely  as  employers,  and  those  who  work  as  journeymen,  in  the  manner 
prescribed,  and  at  the  prices  demanded  by  such  society. 

Art.  15.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  local  societies  to  have  prepared  an 
annual  report  of  their  condition,  showing  the  number  of  members  ad- 
mitted for  the  year  preceding:  the  amount  of  receipts  from  initiation, 
etc.,  said  report  to  be  transmitted  to  the  National  Society  at  its  annual 
meeting. 

Art.  16.  That  the  societies  be  requested  to  forward  to  the  board  of 
control,  or  to  the  National  Society,  when  in  session,  the  number,  as  near 
as  can  be  ascertained,  of  apprentices  employed  in  the  district  of  country 
over  which  the  society  has  jurisdiction:  also,  of  all  the  journeymen — 
distinguishing  members  of  the   society  from  others. 

Art.  1 7.  That  men  pronounced  rats  by  one  society,  shall  be  con- 
sidered  such   by  all   others. 

Art.  18.  No  person  shall  be  admitted  into  a  society  until  he  attains 
the  age  of  21   years. 

Art.  19.  A  local  society,  on  the  suspension  or  expulsion  of  a  mem- 
ber, shall  give  information  to  all  other  societies,  and  make  annual  re- 
port to  the  National  Society. 

Art.  20.  That  it  be  made  obligatory  on  the  members  of  the  respec- 
tive societies  to  solicit  all  nrinters  to  join  some  local   society. 

The  foregoing  constitution,  etc.,  of  the  National  Typographical  So- 
ciety was   adopted   by   the    undersigned    delegates,    representing   the   soci- 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTKRS  ,3, 

eties   attached  to   our   several   names,   at   the   City  Hall     in   the  citv  of 
Washington,  on  the  nth  day  of  November,  1836  ' 

Charles  A.   Davis, 
John   L.   Brown. 
Augustus    H.    Krauth. 

From  New  York. 
F,ZRA  Grossman, 
VVm.   Sharpless, 
Jas.   F.   Haliday, 

From  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
JoH-N   F.  Cook. 
Geo.  Johnston. 
VVm.  Holliday. 

From  Haltimore,  Md. 
J  no.   Stock  well, 
James    Clephank. 

\V.    W.    CURRAN. 

From  WashinRton,  D.  C. 
A.    F.   Cunningham, 
Charles  F.  Lowrey. 

F"rom  New  Orleans,  La. 

ADDRESS    TO    THE    PRINTERS    THROUGHOUT    THE    UNITED 
STATES    ISSUED    BY   NATIONAL  TYPOGRAPH- 
ICAL SOCIETY  CONVENTION  OF  1836. 

City  Hall,  Washington  City,  November  11,  1836. 
Fellow-Craftsmen  : 

The  delegates  from  the  different  societies  which  were  invited  to 
meet  at  Washington  on  the  7th  day  of  November  instant,  to  form  a  con- 
vention, to  take  into  consideration  the  present  condition  of  the  printing 
business,  being  about  to  close  their  labors,  they  feel  desirous  to  address 
you,  in  order  to  lay  before  you  the  motives  which  induced  the  call,  and 
which  urged  them  to  adopt  measures  to  form  a  constitution  for  the  oriR- 
inating  and  management  of  a  general  association,  under  the  denomina- 
tion of  "The  National  Typographical  Society,"  to  be  held  annually,  anil 
to  be  composed  of  delegates  from  all  societies  in  the  different  section* 
of  the  United   States,  proportioned  to  the  rate  of  their  sitting  member*. 

From  recent  attempts  at  encroachments  on  the  rights  of  journey- 
men, and  to  prevent  such  in  future,  it  has  been  judged  most  prudent  to 
seek  safety  in  union.  This  concert  of  action  becomes  the  more  impera- 
tive, since  we  daily  perceive  the  rapid  strides  which  printing  is  m.iking 
over  a  vast  e.xtent  of  country,  and  the  measures  which  may  be  adopted 
to  injure  us.  It  is  a  lamentable  fact  that  the  newspaper  press  h.is  al- 
most entirely  passed  from  under  the  control  of  meiiilnr-.  "f  t'n-  i.rofr*- 
sion,   into  the   hands  of  speculators   and   partisans.    ■•  '  t    the 

feelings   and   sympathies   of  the   craft,    create   disscn  iltie* 

when  they  can  not  make  them  subservient  to  their    ■ 

As  nothing  of  a  permanent  nature  could  b<-  un!  r'n 

vention,  it  confined  itself  solely  to  recommendatory  iii«  , 
were  suggested  during  the  several  meetings  which  wcr«- 
much    important   matter   to   the   societies   to   accomplish   be! 

firm   and  ratify  the  constitution.      But   in  the  meantime,   il   : ^ 

on  us  to  make  you  acquainted  with  the  various  topics  which  cinjjgcJ  our 
time  and  attention,  and  the  results  at  which  wc  have  arrived. 

In  looking  back  but  a  few  years,  we  may  almost  snv  .i  fer^-  ^T>nt^s. 
associations  by  men   in   the  humbler  spheres  of  life    ■•  • 
by  men   of  sound   legal   knowledge,  as  a   departure    • 
which  ought  to  be  considered  as  a  combination  au  n 
and  contrary  to  common  law,  for  which  opinions  th-  .        1      1    ,      u 

many  strong  judicial  precedents  to  sustain  them.  Hut  .ilr-M.v  ii-^  "■ 
true  principles  of  political  knowledge  sprcid  almost  with  the  cclerily  ol 
sound,  and  stamp  the  improvements  of  the  age.     All  that  dread  ol  <un 


132  A    DOCUjVIENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

ger  has  disappeared,  and  given  place  to  more  congenial  feelings.  So 
much  so,  that  it  has  now  become  the  duty  of  the  working  classes  to  watch 
the  employment  of  capital  in  the  hands  of  the  speculator.  Indeed,  it  is 
an  important  object  for  the  study  of  legislators,  to  restrain  the  capitalist 
in  his  wild  career  of  gain,  that  he  may  not  injure  the  poor  mechanic 
in  the  line  of  his  profession.  Should  this  ma.xim  be  overlooked,  the 
wealthy  of  the  land  may  increase  in  riches,  but  the  most  abject  poverty 
and  distress  will  be  sure  to  follow  in  the  track.  Does  it  not  then  be- 
come the  industrious  mechanic  to  protect  himself  and  family  from  pau- 
perism, by  adopting  a  mode  of  defense  which  will  cause  a  more  general 
distribution  of  that   property  which  is   produced  by  his  hard  earnings? 

To  you,  fellow-craftsmen,  who  take  a  pride  in  your  profession,  and 
look  upon  the  present  degraded  state  of  the  press  as  a  public  misfortune, 
which  must  eventually  corrupt  the  morals  of  the  community,  and  destroy 
our  free  institutions,  we  would  appeal  to  arrest  this  evil;  or,  before 
many  months  pass  over,  the  art  of  printing  will  no  longer  give  support 
to  its  professors.  The  demon  of  misrule  has  entered  the  sacred  temple 
of  liberty,  corrupted  its  officiating  priests,  and  profaned  the  holy  altar. 
This  picture  is  too  true,  and  has  already  alarmed  the  fears,  and  occupied 
the  attention  of  many  good  men  of  our  land,  and  among  that  number, 
the  patriotic  and  enlightened  Noah  Webster;  as  a  proof  of  which,  we 
give  the  following  living  picture  of  the  press  from  the  pen  of  this  great 

"The  press,  when  judiciously  managed,  is  one  of  the  greatest  bless- 
ings of  a  civilized  people;  when  abused,  it  is  the  most  powerful  instru- 
ment of  mischief.  Probably  no  civil  privilege  in  this  country  is  so  much 
perverted  and  abused.  In  no  country  is  reputation  held  so  cheap. 
Slander,  like  the  scythe  of  death,  levels  all  worth  and  distinction;  the 
press,  one  of  the  noblest  instruments  of  improvement,  is  converted  into 
an  instrument  of  deception,  and  the  means  of  making  citizens  hate  and 
oppress  each  other.  The  moral  effect  of  this  abuse  is  lamentable;  for  it 
seems  to  have  become  a  ruling  belief  of  partisans  that  a  man  has  a 
right  to  defame  those  who  differ  from  him  in  opinion." 

Thank  God,  but  few  of  these  corrupt  conductors  of  the  press  are 
practical  printers!  Unfortunately,  however,  they  manage  to  carry  on 
this  warfare  by  the  service  of  boys,  raising  six  or  eight  at  a  time  for  a 
few  years,  to  subserve  their  nefarious  purposes,  and  then  cast  them  on 
the  profession  for  support.  By  this  means,  they  continually  keep  the 
stream  flowing  into  the  laiger  cities,  driving  the  journeymen  from 
tlieir  positions  to  make  room  for  those  youths  who  will  labor  for  a  mere 
pittance  to  obtain  a  livelihood,  and  hence  become  an  object  to  some 
avaricious  employers — inconsiderate  men. 

This  we  consider  a  cruel  and  an  unjust  practice,  and  are  deter- 
mined, as  far  as  lies  in  our  power,  to  meet  the  evil  with  energy  and 
firmness.  We  call  upon  each  local  society  to  unite  with  us  in  denounc- 
ing it,  and  upon  every  parent  or  guardian  to  protect  the  interest  of 
their  charge,  by  compelling  their  boys  to  be  regularly  bound  as  appren- 
tices, and  to  be  taught  a  full  knowledge  of  their  business,  and  not  to  al- 
low them  to  be  thrown  into  the  company  of  immoral  and  profligate 
youths,  encouraged  by  receiving  more  money  than  they  are  acquainted 
with  the  value  of. 

We  would  earnestly  advise  every  society  not  to  lose  one  day  in 
adopting  some  specific  act  on  this  head,  that  all  may  feel  the  benefit. 
The  suggestions  of  the  National  Society's  constitution  will  point  out  a 
mode  to  regulate  you  in  this  all-important  and  long-complained-of  eyil, 
which  has  already  ruined  the  business  in  more  than  one  city;  we  must 
congratulate  those  societies  who  have  undertaken  to  check  this  wicked 
custom,  and  we  hope  they  will  expose  those  who  traffic  at  their  neigh- 
bors' cost. 

We  can  not  embrace,  in  this  brief  address,  the  one-half  of  the  ob- 
jects brought  before  this  convention;  but  one  serious  evil  we  must  not 
omit,   because,   if   longer  persisted  in,   it  will   reduce   us   to  the   wretched 


EARLY    ORGANIZATION'S    OF    PRINTERS  j^^ 

condition  of  the  servile  tools  of  party,  which  must  deprive  us  of  the 
most  distant  hope  of  ever  benefiting  ourselves  by  our  profession.  This 
evil  exists  in  a  country,  too,  where  the  press  is  considered  free,  and 
the  principles  of  lioerty  are  well  known.  We  have  allusion  to  that  un- 
just and  pernicious  practice  of  the  legislatures  of  many  States,  as  well 
as  of  the  Federal  Government,  of  bestowing  all  their  printing  and  bind- 
ing in  such  a  manner  as  to  reward  their  zealous  partisans,  even  to  the 
smallest  job,  when  they  are  not  only  not  printers,  but  entirely  unac- 
quainted with  the  art,  to  the  exclusion  and  utter  ruin  of  the  practical 
man.  This  ought  not  to  be  submitted  to,  and  we  must  endeavor  to  have 
it  altered,  if  necessary,  by  means  of  the  ballot  box,  in  calling  on  all 
whose  interests  may  be  concerned  to  unite  with  us.  It  is  the  duty  of 
all  upright  and  honest  legislators  to  protect  all  classes,  and  not  to  op- 
press one  class  of  citizens  to  elevate  another.  We  may  compete  with 
capital,  but  can  not  contend  against  the  powerful  influence  of  a  State. 
Security  in  the  right  of  what  we  possess  is  the  principal  object  of  the 
social  compact,  and  the  property  of  the  working  man  consists  in  the 
knowledge  of  his  calling,  and  any  infringement  of  that  right  is  at  once 
subversive  of  all  civil  institutions. 

We  can  not  overloox  what  has  been  pointed  out  to  us  since  we  as- 
sembled here,  through  the  puljlic  papers.  A  joint  stock  company,  we  un- 
derstand, is  about  being  formed  in  Boston  (a)  to  carry  on  printing  by 
means  of  boys;  and  we  also  perceive,  from  a  prospectus  published  in  the 
United  States  Telegraph,  that  a  more  formidable  inroad  is  about  to  be 
made  by  a  joint  stock  company  with  a  capital  of  $500,000  under  a  pre- 
tended charter.  This  chimerical  plan,  of  itself,  could  not  excite  one  un- 
easy sensation  in  the  breast  of  any  practical  man;  but,  in  this  age  of 
speculative  mania,  others  may  attempt  the  same  or  similar  projects.  The 
following  simple  extract  will  at  once  exhibit  the  manner  by  which  our 
interests  might  be  destroyed  by  the  failure  or  success  of  such  under- 
takings : 

"It  is  proposed  ^ays  the  prospectus)  to  manufacture  the  paper  used 
in  printing,  and  thus  save  the  expense  of  drying  it  for  market,  nutting 
it  into  bundles,  transportation  to  market,  commission,  interest,  and  guar- 
anties, equal  at  least  to  20  per  cent. 

"A  greater  saving  can  be  made  by  the  employment  of  boys  m  com- 
position, printing,  and  binding.  This,  with  the  profits  on  periodicals. 
reprints,  and  elementary  books,  will  secure  to  the  stockholders  a  good 
dividend." 

Our  efforts,  in  endeavoring  to  enlist  your  feelings  and  co-operation, 
are  intended    for  the  benefit   of  all,   individually  and  collectively.     \\  e 
are  aware  that  our  friends  will  expect  from  this  convention  <i.mr  r.i;uU 
tion   with   respect  to  the  price  of   labor;   but  we  believe   n 
meddle   with   the  concerns  of   local   societies— and.   thcrct 
standard  of  wages;   but  we  judge   it  better  to  obligate  n 
tain  each  other  in  our  general  interests,  when  prudence  : 
interference.      We.   therefore,   call   upon    you,   jJirouRf"    >; 
to  concert  measures  to  have  delegates  sent  to  ."The  Natr 
ical    Society,"  that  its  exertions  might  be   felt,  sinniltnnr 
end  of  the  Union  to  the  other,  in  sustaining  the  li 
our  profession.      In   those  sections  of  the  country 
yet  established,   we  trust  the  craft  will  sec  the  ii' 
uniting  themselves  in  some  bond  of  union.     \VIut< 
fession   may  be  but   few  and  scattered,  a  chapel,   or   ^.■^lc   s,:,  •       ■■ 
may  be  concerted  to  appoint  a  delegate  or  proxy.          „„,■„,„,,.  3,1, i.,.. 

To  the  rising  profession  of  the  VVest.  we  would  P"«'^"'^['> /;•:,; 
our  soIicitations,%s  they  Promise  to  become  the  "«"^„;  K""":^'""';^  ^; 
people's  press,  and  the  protectors  of  the  f'-««^'"7,  ^  "f *''*;,„Tr„  ^T-  b^ 
present  is  a  most  important  era.     However  small  their  numbers  may  Of 

a  We  understand  that  the  Boston  company  h.is  already  gone  into  op 

eration. 


134 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


they  ought  now  to  concentrate  and  unite  themselves  together,  for  tlie 
least  procrastination  may  perhaps  prove  an  insuperatile  obstacle  to  their 
progress.  They  have  no  ancient  prejudices  to  contend  against — no  in- 
veterate habits  to  overcome;  which  must  make  the  task  to  them  a  pleas- 
ant and  easy  one.  and  on  which  might  be  predicated  many  a  useful  and 
valuable  institution.  Libraries  or  reading  rooms  might  be  got  up,  and 
made  the  channel  of  much  friendly  intercourse  between  them.  Through 
this  means  of  acquiring  information,  they  might,  with  a  giant's  arm, 
protect  the  yet  almost  uncorrupted  West  from  the  hireling  editor's  con- 
taminating pen,  and  become  the  true  recorders  of  the  nation's  progress 
to  greatness  and  glory,  in  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  civil  life,  or  in  en- 
couraging the  citizen  soldier  when  called  on  to  battle  against  the  op- 
pressor for  liberty  and  independence. 

Although  we  do  consider  it  the  duty  of  all  printers  to  join  and  lend 
their  aid  to  some  association,  we  would  rather  invite  than  use  coercive 
measures  to  induce  them  to  become  members.  We  would  do  this  in  the 
best  of  faith,  that  we  might  have  all  the  good  and  moral  men  of  the 
craft  enrolled  as  brothers  of  one  family,  and  none  to  stand  aloof  but  the 
unworthy  and  debased.  We  hope  the  different  societies  will,  accordingly, 
so  amend  the  qualification  articles  in  their  respective  constitutions  as  to 
make  all  who  are  now  ineligible  from  want  of  certificate,  etc.,  of  ap- 
prenticeship, good  members,  who  may  be  at  the  same  time  working  at  the 
business  as  acknowledged  journeymen.  When  the  National  Society's 
constitution  is  ratified,  then  six  years  will  be  the  minimum  standard  of 
apprenticeship  for  boys  to  be  bound.  This  regulation  the  employing 
printer  will  find  to  be  of  primary  importance  to  his  interest  and  welfare. 
And  thus,  reciprocally  blending  our  interests,  we  may  stand  united,  and 
oppose  the  efforts  of  the  selfish  speculator,  or  the  partisan  politician. 
Under  such  a  union,  we  will  make  our  press  to  be  heard,  whether  in  the 
turmoil  of  a  republic  or  in  the  dead  calm  of  a  despotism. 

Through  the  agency  of  the  various  delegations  a  statistical  table 
will  be  annually  furnished,  and  regularly  published,  of  the  number  of 
newspapers  and  periodicals  in  the  United  States;  the  names  and  profes- 
sions of  editors;  men  employed,  members  or  not  members  of  a  society; 
boys  bound,  etc.,  so  that  we  may  possess  all  necessary  information  con- 
cerning the  management  of  the  palladium  of  our  rights,  which  the  pub- 
lic, as  well  as  the  craft,  should  know. 

We  fear  we  have  transcended  our  limits  for  publication,  and  must 
omit  much  of  what  we  would  wish  to  suggest.  We  would  remark,  how- 
ever, that  the  union  we  are  about  to  form  is  but  an  association  of  social 
feelings,  to  ascertain  the  condition  of  our  trade,  and  make  regulations 
for  the  government  of  ourselves;  we  have  encroached  upon  no  man's 
rights,  nor  committed  an  act  that  we  shall  ever  have  cause  to  regret. 
The  interests  of  the  employer  and  journeyman  have  been  assimilated, 
and,  we  hope,  rendered  permanent  for  the  time  to  come. 

The  convention  transacted  its  arduous  duties  with  the  greatest  har- 
mony and  good  feeling  towards  each  member;  and  perhaps  never  did  a 
meeting  take  place  under  more  propitious  auspices  than  this  convention 
did,  and  which  promises  much  to  the  future  of  the  profession  at  large. 
With  great  arespect,  and  good  wishes  to  all  the  profession,  we  bid  you 
adieu. 

APPENDIX  A,  NO.  10. 

Address  Issued  by  the  Convention  of  1850  to  the  Journeymen 
Printers  of  the  United  States. 

For  some  time  past  the  project  of  calling  together  a  national  con- 
vention of  journeymen  printers  has  met  with  consideraWe  attention  and 
favor  from  the  trade  in  various  portions  of  the  country.  Aware  of  this 
fact,  and  partaking  also  in  the  general  desire,  the  unions  of  New  York, 
Philadelphia,  and  TJoston  about  a  month  since  issued  a  circular,  request- 
ingthe  different  societies  throughout  the  country  to  send  delegates  to  a 
national  convention,  to  be  held  in  New  York,  on  Monday,  December  2, 


EARLY    ORGAXIZATIOXS    OF    PRINTERS  135 

1850.  In  consequence  of  the  very  short  space  of  time  intervening  be- 
tween the  receipt  of  the  circular  and  the  meeting  of  the  convention,  but 
five  States  have  sent  delegates,  viz.:  New  York,  New  lersey,  Pennsyl- 
vania, ^laryland,  and  Kentucky.  These  delegates  met  in  convention  at 
the  time  and  place  specified,  and,  through  their  committee,  now  address 
you. 

It  is  useless  for  us  to  disguise  from  ourselves  the  fact  that,  under 
the  present  arrangement  of  things,  there  exists  a  perpetual  antagonism 
between  labor  and  capital.  The  toilers  are  involuntarily  pitted  against 
the  employers:  one  side,  striving  to  sell  their  labor  for  as  much,  and  the 
other  striving  to  buy  it  for  as  little,  as  they  can.  In  this  war  of  inter- 
ests, labor,  of  itself,  stands  no  chance.  The  power  is  all  on  the  other 
side.  Every  addition  to  the  number  of  laborers  in  the  market  decreases 
their  power:  while  the  power  of  capital  grows  in  a  ratio  commensurate 
with  the  increase  of  the  capital  itself.  On  the  one  side,  the  greater  the 
number  of  dollars,  the  greater  the  ability  to  succeed  in  the  conflict;  on 
the  other  the  greater  the  number  6f  laborers,  the  less  the  ability  to  suc- 
ceed. Add  tn  this  the  fact  that  wealth  accumulates,  on  the  one  side. 
much  faster  than  the  laborers  accumulate  on  the  other,  and  the  utter  im- 
potency  of  unorganized  labor  in  a  warfare  against  capital  becomes  mani- 
fest. 

To  remedy  the  many  disastrous  grievances  arising  from  this  dis- 
parity of  power,  combination,  for  mutual  agreement  in  determining  rate* 
of  wages,  and  for  concert  of  action  in  maintaining  them,  has  been  re- 
sorted to  in  many  trades,  and  principally  in  our  own.  Its  success  has 
abundantly  demonstrated  its  utility.  Indeed,  while  the  present  w-iges 
system  continues  in  operation,  as  an  immediate  protection  from  press- 
ing calamities,  it  is  clearly  the  only  effective  means  which  labor  can 
adopt.  So  far  as  it  extends,  it  destroys  competition  in  the  labor  market; 
unites  the  working  peonle.  and  produces  a  sort  of  equilibrium  in  the 
power  of  the  conflicting  parties. 

This   being   the  case,   it   appears  evident  that  an  extensive  organiza- 
tion,   embracing   the    whole  country,    would    secure   to   our   own,    or   any 
other  trade,  a  power  which  could  be  derived  from  no  other  source.     Tl.<- 
delegates  here  assembled  have  come  together  deeply  impressed  with   i.:^ 
conviction.     Thev   regard  such  an  organization   not  only  as  an   sk^'''      i 
immediate  relief,' but  also  as  essential  to  the  ultimate  destruction  ..t   v.     -■ 
unnatural    relations    at    present    subsisting   between    the    interests    ■  t    :    • 
emploving   and    employed   classes.      .-MI    their   activities  have   accr-  :  , 
been   regulated  with   a  view  to  the  establishing  of  such  an  org.ini- .• 
They  have   recommended  the  formation  of  societies  in  all   the  cit  >  ~ 
towns   throughout   the  country.     They  have   rendered   it  obligat-r'. 
all    members   of   the    profession   traveling    to   any   point   embrace. 1     ■     • 
representation  here,   for  work,  to  have  with  them  certific.-iti>  ..t   :■ 
ship  from  the  society  located  in  the  place  from  which  tlu  . 
have  established  a  national  executive  committee,  to  urge  t 
of  their  recommendations  and   requirements.     They  have 
that  committee  to   use  their   utmost  exertions  to  have  at  ,     ,,    , 

tion  of  the  whole  country  in  the  next  national  c""^*^"''^  "'.f  „.l,f  <CZ 
have  ordered  to  be  held  in  Baltimore,  Md..  on  the  lath  of  next  5«p- 
tember.  .  ,,  i  •!,  •    »       .-■,,,*-  t>i,- 

The  members  of  this  convention  arc  well  assured  th.T    t"  -r.  nr  i.r 
adoption   of  the   measures  they  recommend,   they  must   r.^ 
alone  which  are  best  calculated  to  effect  the  immediate  «■ 
individual  members  of  the  trade.     The  establishment  ot  :.   . 
zation    must   be   effected    upon    certain    principles.      In    t.t 
advantages  of  the  operation  of  those  principles  are  tcit  .y 
establishment  of   that   organization  will   he   ^^"'•'•"l^,";, '    . 
The  principles,  therefore,  recommended  by  the  <^"";'"''"".       ^.„ 
urges  the  formation  of  societies  throughout  the  country    .yr  - 
not  fail   to  enlist  in  their  favor  the  most  potent  cons.deratlon^ 

'"*"Flrst.-'Tn"'u;de'rsta'n'dTng   in   the   regulation   of  Ka.es  of  r,,^,,  „. 
different   localities,   so   that.  V^°«%i" -""'  ^'»^^,."'?^  ^'^^  Khetr. 
become  so  comparatively  high  as  to  induce  work  to  DC  »*ni  ci.c 


136 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


Second.  The  enforcement  of  the  principle  of  limiting  the  number 
of  apprentices;  by  which  measure  a  too  rapid  increase  in  the  number  of 
workmen,  too  little  care  in  the  selection  of  bovs  for  the  business,  and 
the  employment  of  herds  of  half  men  at  half  wages,  to  the  detriment  of 
good  workmen,  will  be  effectively  prevented. 

Third.  The  issuing  of  traveling  certificates,  by  which  the  distresses 
of  brother  craftsmen,  incurred  in  journeying  from  one  place  to  an- 
other, in  search  of  work,  may  be  relieved.  In  this  we  have  one  of  those 
means  of  attracting  and  attaching  to  our  societies  men  who,  not  troubled 
largely  with  abstract  principles  of  strict  duty,  are  nevertheless  will- 
ing to  become  "repentant  prodigals"  for  the  sake  of  the  "fatted  calf." 
Besides,  it  is  eminently  calculated  to  produce  a  warmer  attachment  on 
the  part  of  superior  men,  inasmuch  as  it  will  bind  them  in  ties  of  grati- 
tude, and  in  the  luxurious  fellowship  of  good  deeds. 

Fourth.  Measures  to  prevent  disgraced  members  of  the  profession 
enjoying,  anywhere  in  the  United  States,  those  privileges  which  belong 
exclusively  to  honorable  printers.  They  consist  in  keeping  a  registry 
of  "rats,"  to  be  sent  by  the  executive  committee  to  every  union  in  the 
country,  for  reference;  and  admitting  to  membership  no  stranger,  who 
does  not  produce  evidence  of  his  having  been  a  member  in  good  standing 
of  the  society,  if  any  existed,  in  the  place  from  which  he  comes. 

Fifth.  The  gradual  collection  of  a  sum  of  money  by  each  union  suf- 
ficient to  enable  it  to  hold  out  successfully  against  the  employers,  in  the 
event  of  a  contention  for  higher  wages. 

Sixth.  The  recognition  of  the  right  of  a  union  to  borrow  from  any 
other,  when  necessary,  a  sum  of  money  to  the  amount  of  ,$i  for  each 
member  thereof,  to  be  repaid  in  a  manner  prescribed.  This  is  intended, 
in  conjunction  with  other  matters  proposed,  to  strengthen  each  indi- 
vidual society  in  the  struggles  which  it  may  he  called  on  to  make,  from 
time  to  time,  against  unjust  employers.  Its  efficacy  needs  no  explana- 
tion. 

Seventh.  Measures  for  the  attainment  of  several  other  objects  of 
less  importance,  which  are  calculated  to  give  efficacy  to  the  whole. 

Such  has  Ijeen  the  main  work  of  the  convention;  and,  while  the 
members  thereof  are  aware  that  it  is  but  the  commencement  of  an  un- 
dertaking which  in  its  full  completion,  must  necessarily  be  more  or  less 
protractive,  they  look  with  confidence  to  those  who  shall  follow  them,  in 
subsequent  conventions,  to  conduct  it  to  a  successful  consummation. 

The  project  of  establishing  a  joint  stock  office,  at  Washington  City, 
for  the  purpose  of  executing  the  printing  of  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment, was  introduced  into  the  convention;  but  its  newness,  as  a  matter 
of  practical  concern,  to  the  great  body  of  journeymen  printers,  with  the 
necessity  of  having  a  thorough  deliberation  on  so  important  a  matter,  and 
the  propriety  of  delegates  being  elected  with  special  regard  to  its  con- 
sideration, prompted  its  reference  to  the  next  convention.  The  prac- 
ticability of  the  working  people  employing  themselves,  and  realizing  the 
profits  of  their  own  labor,  there  can  be  no  doubt  might!  be  illustrated 
and  established,  if  the  journeymen  printers  of  the  United  States  would 
resolve  to  try  the  experiment.  In  fact,  our  Philadelphia  brethren  have 
already,  to  a  great  extent,  succeeded  in  an  eft'ort  of  the  kind.  A  pub- 
lishing establishment  has  been  instituted  in  that  city,  by  the  union  there; 
and  thus  far  has  answered  the  most  sanguine  expectations  of  its  pro- 
jectors and  friends.  If  a  similar  concern,  on  a  large  scale,  could  be  in- 
stituted in  Washington,  a  similar  result  might  be  reasonably  appre- 
hended. The  subject  is,  at  least,  well  worthy  a  full  and  deliberate  con- 
sideration: and  may  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  important  and  in- 
teresting which  will  engage  the  attention  of  the  next  convention. 

Combination  merely  to  fix  and  sustain  a  scale  of  prices  is  of  minor 
importance  compared  to  that  combination  which  looks  to  an  ultimate  re- 
demption of  labor.  Scales  of  prices,  to  keep  up  the  value  of  labor,  are 
only  necessary  under  a  system  which,  in  its  uninterrupted  operation,  gives 
to  that  value  a  continued  downward  tendency.  But  when  labor  deter- 
mines no  longer  to  sell  itself  to  speculators,  but  to  become  its  own  em- 
ployer; to  own  and  enjoy  itself  and  the  fruit  thereof,  the  necessity  for 
scales  of  prices  will  have  passed  away,  and  labor  will  be  forever  rescued 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  137 

from  the  control  of  the  capitalist.  It  will  then  be  free,  fruitful,  honora- 
ble. The  shackles  of  a  disastrous  conventionalism  will  have  fallen  from 
its  limbs;  and  it  will  appear  in  the  character  which  nature  designed  it  t. 
sustain.  This  is  certainly  a  consummation  most  devoutly  to  be  ^'.  -  ■  ' 
and,  however  difficult  it  may  be  to  attain,  if  within  the  range  ■■;  : 
bility,  ought  to  constitute  the  great  end  to  which  all  our  other  an..  .,:.  ; 
efforts  should  be  made  subsidiary. 

The  journeymen  printers  of  the  United  States  arc  earnestly  in- 
voked, by  their  brethren  here,  to  employ  their  most  effective  endeavors 
in  the  prosecution  of  this  work.  Its  success  now  rests  with  them;  ar.d 
it  is  to  be  hoped  they  will  feel  the  full  weight  of  the  responsibility.  \\  .■ 
beg  them  to  take  into  favorable  consideration  the  nicasurts  u'. 
recommended  for  their  adoption.  We  beg  them  to  assist  the  li.v 
executive  committee,  by  every  possible  means,  in  the  fulfillment  .1  ;•- 
duties.  We  beg  them  to  circulate  the  official  proceedings  of  this  O'li 
vention,  (published  in  pamphlet  form  by  the  union  of  I'hiladrlpln.i ) 
wherever  such  circulation  will  be  calculated  to  excite  an  iiitcrot  in 
the  movement.  And  we  beg  them  finally  to  send  a  full  reprcscntatiun 
to  the  next  convention,  from  every  section  of  the  country.  They  owe 
a  duty  which  they  are  thus  called  upon  to  discharge,  not  only  to  us,  who 
have  commenced  in  this  movement — not  alone  to  themselves,  who  arc  so 
deeply  interested  in  it — but  also  to  the  laborers  of  all  trades  and  voca- 
tions, who  are  anxiously  awaiting  the  development  of  some  sure  plan  of 
amelioration,  which  they  can  all  adopt.  Public  opinion  places  us  at  the 
head  of  the  mechanical  professions.  Let  us  not  belie  that  opinion,  by 
falling  behind  it.  Something  is  expected  of  us:  and  when  the  next  con- 
vention assembles,  let  its  numbers  and  its  actions  justify  and  rcali/e  the 
public  expectation.  Let  something  be  evolved,  during  its  deliberation*, 
which  will  redound  to  the  benefit  of  our  own  trade,  and,  by  way  of  ex- 
ample, to  the  benefit  of  all  others. 

Respectfully,  M.   F.   Conwav. 

Geo.   E.  Greene, 
And.  J.  Atkinson, 
J.  T.  Nafew, 
Chas.   Beciitei. 

Ccmmittfc. 
By  order  of  the  convention: 

John  W.   PEtEOOv, 

I'resUfnt. 
Geo.   E.  Greene, 
M.  C.  Brown. 

I'ice-l'rcsiJents. 
F.    T.  Ottarson, 
John    IIartman, 
New  York,  December  7,  185".  Stcrclariti. 

APPENDIX  A.  NO.  11. 
Constitution  of  1851.  National  Typographical  Union. 

We,  the  representatives  of  the  typographical  associations  -f  lb- 
States  of  Maryland,  Pennsylvania.  New  York.  Ohio,  Kentucky.  \  >• 
ginia,  Massachusetts  and  New  Jersey,  in  national  convention  assemble!. 
for  our  government,  do  ordain  and  establish  the  following: 

CONSTITUTION. 

Article  I. 

Section  i.  This  body  shall  be  known  by  the  name  of  -The  S'v 
tional  Typographical  Union,"  and  shall  be  acknowledged.  "^'P'^';  ""J 
obeyed  as  such  by  each  subordinate  union  in  the  V'""«'>-  .''  •'''Y  ^.", 
sess   original   and   exclusive  jurisdiction   in   all   matters   perUining   i-   «"<■ 


138  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

fellowship  of  the  craft  in  the  United  States.  All  subordinate  unions 
shall  assemble  under  its  warrant,  and  derive  their  authority  from  it,  en- 
abling them  to  make  all  necessary  local  laws  for  their  own  government. 
It  shall  be  the  ultimate  tribunal  to  which  all  matters  of  general  impor- 
tance to  the  welfare  of  the  members  of  the  different  unions  shall  be  re- 
ferred, and  its  decision  thereon  shall  be  final  and  conclusive.  To  it 
shall  belong  the  power  to  regulate,  fix  and  determine  the  customs  and 
usages  in  regard  to  all  matters  appertaining  to  the  craft.  It  shall  pos- 
sess inherent  power  to  establish  subordinate  unions  who  shall  always  act 
by  virtue  of  a  warrant  granted  by  authority  of  this  body. 

Article  11. 

The  members  of  this  National  Union  shall  be  composed  of  its  elec- 
tive officers  and  the  representatives  from  subordinate  unions,  acting 
under  legal,  unreclaimed  warrants  granted  by  this  National  Union. 

Article  III. 

Section  i.  The  elective  officers  shall  be  a  president,  two  vice-presi- 
dents, (who  shall  be  chosen  from  different  States),  a  recording  secretary, 
a  corresponding  secretary,  and  a  treasurer — all  of  whom  shall  be  elected 
annually,  by  ballot,  and  be  installed  and  enter  upon  the  duties  of  their 
offices  at  the  termination  of  the  session  at  which  they  are  elected.  They 
shall  attend  each  meeting  of  the  National  Union,  and  perform  such 
other_  duties  as  may  be  enjoined  by  its  laws  and  regulations.  No  officer, 
who  is  not  also  a  representative,  shall  be  permitted  to  vote,  e.xcept  the 
president,  in  case  of  equal  division. 

Article  IV. 

Section  i.  The  president  shall  preside  at  the  meetings  of  the  Na- 
tional Union,  preserve  order,  and  enforce  the  laws  thereof.  He  shall 
have  the  casting  vote  whenever  the  National  Union  shall  be  equally  di- 
vided: but  shall  not  vote  at  other  times.  During  the  recess  of  this 
National  Union,  he  shall,  in  conjunction  with  the  vice-president,  have  a 
general  superintendence  over  the  interests  of  the  craft;  and  make  report, 
immediately  upon  the  assembling  of  the  National  Union,  of  his  acts  and 
doings  in  relation  thereto.  He  shall  not  hold  any  office  in  a  subordi- 
nate while  acting  as  president  of  this  National  Union. 

Sec.  2.  The  vice-presidents  shall  assist  the  president  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties,  and  shall  take  precedence  of  rank  in  proportion  to 
the  votes  received  in  the  election  of  each  (i.  e.  the  officer  receiving 
the  highest  number  of  votes  shall  rank  before  the  one  receiving  the 
lower  number).  In  the  absence  of  the  president  and  first  vice-president, 
the  second  vice-president  shall  preside. 

Sec.  3.  The  recording  secretary  shall  make  a  just  and  true  record 
of  the  proceedings  of  the  National  Union,  in  a  book  provided  for  that 
purpose;  keep  accounts  between  the  National  Union  and  subordinates 
under  its  jurisdiction;  read  all  petitions,  reports  and  papers  to  be  laid 
before  the  National  Union,  and  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  from 
time  to  time  be  required  of  him. 

Sec.  4.  The  corresponding  secretary  shall  conduct  the  correspond- 
ence of  the  National  Union,  and  transact  such  business  as  appertains  to 
his  office.  Copies  of  all  communications  transmitted  or  received  by  him 
shall  be  laid  before  the  National  Union. 

Sec.  s.  The  treasurer  shall  keep  the  moneys  of  the  National  Union, 
and  pay  all  orders  drawn  on  him  by  the  president  and  attested  by  the 
recording  secretary,  under  the  seal  of  the  National  Union.  He  shall  lay 
before  the  union  at  each  regular  session  a  full  and  correct  statement  of 
his  accounts,  and  before  entering  upon  the  duties  of  his  office  give  such 
security  as  the  National   Union   may  require. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  xjQ 

Article  V. 

Section  i.  Representatives  from  subordinate  unions  must  be  actua' 
members,  in  good  standing.  Tliey  must  be  elected  by  the  body  they  rep- 
resent for  the  term  of  one  year — and  furnished  with  a  certificate  of 
election. 

Sec.  2.  Each  subordinate  union  shall  be  entitled  to  three  repre- 
sentatives in  the  National  Union,  and  each  representative  shall  he  en- 
titled to  one  vote.  The  expenses  of  the  attendance  of  said  representa 
tives  shall  be  defrayed  by  the  unions  they  respectively  represent. 

Article   \'I. 

The  National  Union  shall  meet  annually  on  the  tirst  .Monday  in 
May,  at  such  place  as  shall   from  time  to  time  be  determined  upon. 

Article  VII. 

The  revenue  of  the  National  Union  shall  be  derived  as  follows: 
For  a  warrant  for  a  subordinate  union,  $5,  and  5  per  cent  upon  the  total 
receipts  of  subordinate  unions. 

Article  \'III. 

In  case  of  death,  resignation,  disqualification,  or  refusal  of  the 
president  elected  to  serve,  the  duties  of  the  office  for  the  remainder  of 
the  term  shall  be  performed  by  the  vice-presidents  in  the  order  desig- 
nated bv  this  constitution.  And  in  case  of  death,  resignation,  disquali- 
fication "or  refusal  of  the  above  officers  to  serve,  then  a  president  pro 
tern,  shall  be  elected.  In  case  of  the  death,  resignation,  disqualification, 
or  refusal  to  serve,  of  any  officer,  the  preceding  officer  for  the  time  l>c- 
ing  shall  appoint  some  qualified  person  to  perform  the  duties  until  the 
next  regular  meeting  of  the  National  Union. 

Article  IX. 

A  majority  of  the  representatives  of  the  several  unions  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  this  National  Union,  shall  be  necessary  to  form  a  quorum 
for  the  transaction  of  business.  All  questions,  unless  otherwiie  pro- 
vided for,  shall  be  decided  by  a  majority  of  the  votes  given. 

Article  X. 

Sectio.n-    I.     General  laws   for  the  government  of  the  cnft   t»:rrtich 
out    the   jurisdiction    of    this    National    Union,    may   be    n 
forced   by  this   bodv:    and   any  union    within   «ts  juriscl.ri 
abide  by  its  laws   and   decisions  shall   be  expelled.      1  he 
shall  also  upon  the  request  ot  any  subordinate  union   un    ■  ^       ^ 

tion,   establish  ceremonies  of  initiation   into   the  ranks  ot   ^k      -1 

"^'^  Sec.  2.  The  National  Union  shall  from  time  to  time  enact  »uch  bv- 
laws  as  it  mav  deem  necessary:  Prozuied.  That  such  by-law.  will  not 
conflk^t^with  J"^;^  constitution.^^  amendment  of  this  constitution  mu.t  he 

offered  to  the  National   Union,  at  a  regular  session  thereof:  ^^;^J'\^ 

nnded.  it  shall  be  entered  on  the  minutes.  At  the  next 
the  amendments  may  be  considered  and  if  a(fr'"f1  '"  '.; 
the  vote  given,  shall  become  part  of  the  constitution  .\ 
the  laws  of  the  National  Union  shall  be  made  in  like  r;  .. 


140 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


law  of  a  general  application  shall  be  adopted,  unless  submitted  and  en- 
tered on  the  minutes  at  the  regular  session  previous  to  being  adopted. 


J.  L.  Gibbons,  Louisville,  Ky. 
H.  A.  Guild,  New  York. 
E.  H.  Rogers,  New  York. 
Thos.  J.  Walsh,  Albany,  N.  Y. 
M.   F.  Conway,  Baltimore,  Aid. 
RoBT.  J.   Bruce,  Baltimore,  Md. 
George  H.  Randell,  Baltimore,  Md 
Washington  Ashton,  Baltimore, 

Md. 
Myron   H.    Rooker,  Nezv  York. 
Wm.  C.   Figner,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Wm.  B.   Echert,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
J.  B.  Smith,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Geo.  W.  Jones,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
John  H.  Fasy,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


Geo.  Wadham,  Boston,  Mass. 
Chas.  a.    Randell,   Boston,  Mass. 
H.    H.   Boardman,   Boston,   Mass. 
J.    Richard  Lewellen,  Richmond, 

Va. 
James  H.  Walford,  Richmond,  Va. 
Aug.  Donnelly,  Baltimore,  Md. 
W.  G.  Williams,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
Henry  T.  Ogden,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
Hiram  H.  Young,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
Chas.  Bechtel,  Trenton,  N.  J. 
Tohn  W.  Cassedy,   Trenton,  N.  J. 
Alex.   W.   Rook,  Pittsburg,  Pa, 
W.  J.  Irvin,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
A.  C.  Pool,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 


SCHEDULE. 


Third.    If  fiv 

tion   as  early  as  the 

committee    shall    call 


First.  This  constitution  being  adopted,  shall  be  signed  by  the  mem- 
bers of  this  convention,  published  by  its  authority,  and  forwarded  by 
the  national  executive  committee  to  the  different  typographical  unions 
and  associations,   for  their  ratification. 

Second.  As  soon  as  the  unions  of  five  different  States  shall  signify 
to  the  executive  committee  their  willingness  to  comply  with  the  princi- 
ples and  requisitions  of  the  constitution,  and  accompany  the  same  with 
the  regular  fee  of  $5,  the  said  executive  committee  shall  issue  their 
circular,  announcing  that  the  National  Typographical  Union  has  been 
formed,  and  request  all  subordinates  who  have  ratified  the  constitution, 
to  elect  representatives  in  pursuance  of  its  provisions,  who  shall  assemble 
on  the  first  Monday  in  May,   1852,  in  the  city  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

ions,  as  specified  above,  do  not  ratify  the  conven- 
5th  day  of  May  next,  then  the  national  executive 
a  national  convention,  to  assemble  at  such  time 
thereafter  as  they  in  their  judgment  may  deem  proper,  to  be  held  in  the 
city  where  the  first  session  of  the  National  Typographical  Union  would 
have  been  held,  had  it  been  formed  as  above. 

Also, 

Resolved,  That  a  national  executive  committee  of  one  from  each 
typographical  society  here  represented  be  appointed,  to  enforce  the  execu- 
tion of  all  resolutions  adopted  by  this  convention,  collect  information  on 
all  matters  in  relation  to  the  trade,  and  report  the  same  to  the  next  con- 
vention. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  from  New  York  be  authorized  and  re- 
quired, in  conjunction  with  the  national  executive  committee,  to  take 
charge  of  the  proceedings  of  the  convention  together  with  the  address 
of  the  executive  committee,  and  have  them  printed,  subject  to  orders  for 
the  same,  from  all  local  typographical  associations,  or  societies,  at  a 
price  to  be  fixed  by  said  secretary. 

Resolved,  That  the  various  local  societies  be  earnestly  requested  to 
order,  for  circulation  in  their  respective  localities  and  districts,  such 
number  of  copies  of  the  above-mentioned  proceedings  as  may  be  neces- 
sary to  supply  all  newspapers  and  printers  in  their  own  district,  or  else- 
where, as  they  may  deem  proper. 

Resolved,  That  the  officers  and  members  of  the  various  societies 
throughout  the  country  are  hereby  requested  to  have  the  proceedings  of 
this  convention,  or  an  outline  thereof,  published  in  all  newspapers  with- 
in the  circle  of  their  influence. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    I'RINTKRS  i-i 

APPENDIX  A.  NO.  12. 

Protests  Against  the  Washington  Institnte. 

PROTEST    OF    THE    COLUMRIA    TVPOGRAI'IIICAL    SOCIETY 
AUGUST   19,   1834. 

Protest  of  the  typographical  society,  addressed  to  the  public  gen- 
erally, and  particularly  to  the  printers  of  the  United  States,  against  the 
Washington  Institute,  a  school  about  to  be  organized  in  the  city  of 
\\'ashington,  by  Duff  Green,  which  proposes  to  substitute,  in  the  print- 
ing business,  the  labor  of  boys  for  that  of  journeymen. 

Columbia  Typographical  Society,  August  19,  1834. 

The  Columbia  Typographical  Society  of  the  District  of  Columbia, 
solemnly  impressed  with  the  responsibility  under  which  it  rests,  and  the 
duty  which  it  owes  to  the  interests  of  its  members,  and  to  the  welfare 
of  the  profession  generally,  has  deemed  it  its  duty  to  make  public  the 
statements  which  follow,  under  the  hope  and  belief,  that,  as  the  igis 
of  the  law  is  powerless  for  the  protection  of  the  occupation  of  its  mem- 
bers, the  stern  voice  of  public  opinion  may  aid  in  accomplishing  the 
overthrow  of  the  evil  which  threatens  the  prosperity  of  tlie  printing 
business,  and  of  which  it  is  the  purpose  of  this  paper  to  treat. 

For  the  first  time  since  its  organization  this  society  now  appears  at 
the  bar  of  the  public.  During  the  entire  period  which  has  elapsed 
since  its  formation,  which  took  place  in  the  year  181 5,  nearly  twenty 
years  ago,  it  has  never  had  occasion  so  to  appear.  Considerations  of  a 
high  character,  from  which  it  must  not  shrink,  involving,  it  may  be,  its 
own  existence,  has  prompted  the  step  which  it  has  now  taken;  and 
which  must  stand  as  its  apology  before  an  enlightened  and  just  com- 
munity. 

The  course  of  the  society  since  its  origin  has  been  strongly  marked 
by  prosperity;  from  a  number  not  exceeding  twenty,  who  were  present 
at  its  organization,  it  has  extended  its  members  tenfold;  ;oo  names 
being  now  enrolled  upon  its  constitution,  as  living  and  active  members. 
some  of  whom  are  conductors  of  the  public  press  at  different  p>ints 
of  the  Union,  contributing,  it  is  believed,  a  solid  reputation  to  its  char- 
acter and  standing.  This  course  of  unexampled  prosperity,  the  society 
is  perfectly  aware,  is  mainly  owing  to  the  just  character  of  its  pro- 
ceedings, which  will  be  found  to  prevail  throughout  its  history;  its 
fundamental  rule  of  action,  which  it  has  never  broken,  has  c%cr  been 
to  infringe  in  no  degree  on  the  rights  of  the  empl»yer:  and.  •should 
occasion  ever  demand  it,  t6  maintain,  with  steady  and  determined  pur- 
pose, the  rights  and  interests  of  its  own  members.  The  ni.iin  cbjrct  of 
the  formation  of  the  society,  however,  was  benevolence.  No  diflTicuhy 
between  the  employers  of  that  day  and  the  journeymen  oit'i;'/  rie  t'l'- 
society  could  have  been  the  cause  of  its  formation,  becar, -• 
adopted  the  prices  throughout  as  they  found  them.  Tin 
journeymen  were  established  by  the  employers  thcmseh' 
formation  of  the  society,  and  has  never  been  changed  «•: 
be  changed  to  the  present  time  by  cither  party,  except  m  tw>  ;ii-.t.imc^. 
which  v.e  may  have  occasion  to  notice  hereafter.  . 

But   although    benevolent   purposes   were   the   immediate   occasion   of 
the    formation    of   the    Columbia    Typographical    Society,    that    other    in- 
terests of  the  members  composing  it  were  taken  into  consK  rration  of  af 
that  time  is  plainly  apparent,  by  the  f.ict  that  the  society  did  adopt  and 
merge  in  its   proceedings  a  list  of  prices  for  the  Rovcrti  •  .  nt   •  f  '^■^   r~r-n 
i.eis   in    this   city.      It    has    always   been    the    undcr-r 
that  the  price  received  for  their  labor  must  confor: 
the    society.      The    employers    tliemselves    r-em    to 
justice  of  this  arrangement   as  no  serious  difficultv.    • 
cise  of  whatever  of  power  the  society  possessed,  has  cvrr    in-rn  m:u<-  it« 

°™Beyond   this  point,   however,   it  has  never  been   claimed   hcrciofote 


142 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


that  the  power  of  [the]  society  should  be  extended.  How  far  it  would 
be  justified  in  endeavoring  to  maintain,  where  they  have  been  wantonly 
attacked,  the  permanent  interests  of  the  members  composing  the  society, 
or  of  the  business  which  they  pursue,  is  a  question  wliich  we  shall  pass 
by,  until  we  shall  have  stated  more  fully  the  immediate  occasion  of  the 
publication  of  this  paper. 

It  is  with  feelings  of  the  most  painful  regret  that  the  society  has 
now  to  announce  to  the  public  that  a  scheme  is  in  agitation,  if  not 
already  organized,  the  operation  of  which,  it  is  confidently  believed,  will 
destioy  the  occupation  of  the  great  body  of  its  members,  and  vitally  in- 
jure the  business   which   they  pursue. 

The  scheme  referred  to  was  announced  by  its  author  (Mr.  Duff 
Green)  on  the  ist  of  January  last;  since  which  time  the  society,  through 
a  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose,  has  endeavored  to_  dissuade  him 
from  carrying  it  into  operation.  The  correspondence  vvhich  took  place 
on  that  occasion  will  be  found  at  the  close  of  this  expose,  (a) 

On  perusing  the  letters  of  Mr.  Green,  the  reader  will  perceive  that 
he  proposes  to  organize  in  the  city  of  Washington,  an  establishment  to 
be  called  the  Washington  Institute.  The  prospectus  of  this  institution, 
which  has  been  published  and  circulated  by  its  author,  to  what  extent 
or  amongst  whom  is  not  known,  discloses  the  following  as  its  prominent 
features: 

From  100  to  200  boys  are  to  be  engaged,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to 
work  at  the  printing  business,   under  regulations  therein   prescribed. 

Preceptors,  to  be  drawn  from  the  ranks  of  the  journeymen,  and 
from  other  sources,  are  to  be  employed  to  superintend  the  education  of 
the  boys. 

The  amount  of  the  labor  of  each  shall  be  put  down  in  a  book  to  be 
kept  for  that  purpose;  and,  at  the  period  of  his  graduation,  whatever 
amount  shall  appear  to  his  credit,  beyond  a  certain  daily  task  to  be 
fixed  for  him,  shall  be  loaned  to  him  on  interest,  for  a  certain  term  of 
years,  to  enable  him  to  commence  the  publication  of  a  newspaper  or 
some  other  business. 

These  are  believed  to  be  the  only  features  of  the  institution  which 
it  is  necessary  to  portray  al  this  time,  in  order  to  a  fair  understanding 
of  its  character.  Some  of  its  details,  of  minor  importance  we  iriay  have 
occasion  to   notice  hereafter. 

The  object  of  the  institution  is  declared  to  be  "the  regeneration  of 
the  American  press,  and  the  improvement  of  the  character  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  craft;"  but,  as  during  its  operation,  the  proprietor  contem- 
plates discharging  from  his  employment  the  journeymen  at  present  in 
his  office,  except  such  as  may  be  required  to  act  as  preceptors  to  the 
boys:  and  judging  also,  from  the  following  facts  which  the  occasion  has 
compelled  the  society  to  make  public,  we  are  bound  to  believe  that  the 
main  object  of  the  formation  of  the  Washington  Institute  is  the  per- 
sonal  aggrandizement  of  the   proprietor. 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  state  that  the  great  body  of  the  printers 
of  this  city  are  now,  and  have  always  been,  employed  upon  work,  ema- 
nating from  the  Government.  Up  to  the  year  18  ig  the  printing  of 
Congress  had  been  given  out  by  contract;  but  that  body,  becoming  dis- 
satisfied with  the  manner  in  which  the  work  had  been  executed,  ap- 
pointed a  committee  on  the  subject  who  reported  a  joint  resolution,  the 
provision  of  which  required  that  each  House  should  elect  its  own  print- 
ers, by  ballot,  for  the  svibsequent  Congress,  and  fixed  upon  a  scale  of 
prices  to  be  given  for  the  execution  of  the  work  based  upon  the  prices 
given  by  the  employers  to  the  journeymen. 

This  resolution  was  adopted  by  both  branches  of  Congress,  and  has 
the  form  as  well  as  the  force  of  law.  It  remains  in  existence  at  the 
present  moment. 

The  prices  of  the  labor  of  the  journeymen  were  thus,  in  a  measure 
sanctioned  by  law,  and  both  the  printers  in  Congress,  and  the  journeymen 

a  These  letters  are  omitted,  as  the  text  makes  their  content";  suffi- 
ciently apparent. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTKRS  ^^ 

employed  upon  the  work  seem  to  have  considered  themselves  as  bound 
in  honor  and  justice  not  to  interfere  with  the  established  wages.  No 
interference  of  the  kind  was  ever  made  by  the  journe>Tncn  up  to  the 
present  moment,  nor  by  any  one  of  the  employers  until  the  period  oi 
the  election  of  Mr.  Green  as  Printer  of  the  House  of  Representatives 
in   1828. 

Within  a  year  after  the  election  of  this  gentleman  he  attempted  to 
reduce  the  wages  of  journeymen  from  $10  to  $8  per  week  thruunhout 
the  year,  although  his  pay  as  printer  was  regulated  by  the  same  law 
and  was  precisely  the  same  in  every  respect  as  that  of  his  predecessors. 
This  attempt  was  of  course  resisted  by  the  journeymen,  and  successfully 
resisted. 

The  next  attempt  of  Mr.  Green  to  reduce  the  price  of  the  labor  of 
journeymen,  which  took  place  during  the  progress  of  the  following  year, 
was  as  follows:  The  nature  of  that  reduction  we  will  briefly  describe: 
In  executing  the  printing  for  Congress  it  is  frequently  necessary  to 
work  to  a  late  period  of  the  night.  The  regular  working  hours  of^  the 
journeymen  were  from  8  a.  m.  to  8  p.  m.  After  the  last-mentioned 
hour,  if  their  services  were  required,  it  was  customary  to  pay  them  at 
the  rate  of  20  cents  an  hour.  This  sum  had  been  uniformly  paid  by  the 
former  printers  to  Congress,  and  was  considered  the  fixed  price  through- 
out the  city.  No  regulation  on  the  subject,  however,  had  ever  been 
adopted  by  the  society,  and  Mr.  Green,  having  ascertained  this  fact,  im- 
mediately reduced  the  price  of  this  portion  of  the  labor  of  the  journey- 
men in  his  employ  to  :6  2-3  cents  the  hour — that  sum  being  the  rate  per 
hour  at  $10   per  week;   and,  at  this  moment,  actually  pays  but  this  sum. 

The  journeymen  acquiesced  in  this  reduction  solely  because,  al- 
though the  rate  was  below  the  customary  price,  it  infringed  no  regulation 
of  the  society.  It  is  true  that  the  nature  of  "extra  work,"  as  it  is  called, 
exposed  those  who  had  it  to  perform  to  great  fatigue,  at  the  risk  of  the 
loss  of  bodily  health;  but  this  sacrifice  the  journeymen  were  willyig  to 
make  rather  than  break  that  peace  which  had  existed  for  such  a  number 
of   years  between  themselves  and   their  employers. 

Not  satisfied  with  effecting  this  reduction  in  their  wages,  the  aggre- 
gate of  which  amounted  to  a  considerable  sum,  .Mr.  Green  struck  yet 
another  blow  at  the  interests  of  the  journeymen;  not  this  time  by  re- 
ducing the  rate  of  their  wages,  but  by  excluding  a  great  number  ol 
them  from  emplovment  through  the  agency  of  boys;  forty  or  fifty  ot 
whom  he  employed  about  the  period  of  his  second  congressional  term 
as  printer.  This  unjust  and  ungenerous  policy,  although  submitted  to. 
as  were  his  other  measures,  without  any  public  complaint  from  the  jour- 
neymen, defeated  itself  in  less  than  two  years;  it  contained  the  seeds 
of  its  own  destruction.  The  bovs  themselves,  seeing  the  use  that  was 
thus  attempted  to  be  made  of  them,  held  a  meeting  on  the  subject,  and 
one  and  all  abandoned  his  employment.  To  us  this  w.is  no  matter  ot 
surprise.  They  had  become,  in  a  measure,  initiated  in  the  businc«.  and 
had  begun  to  feel  the  full  throb  of  those  principles  of  honor,  maj- 
nanimitv  and  justice,  the  germ  of  which,  we  are  proud  to  believe.  1* 
planted 'in  the  heart  of  the  practical   printer. 


we   nave   iiius   lunuwiu   mv   ,.wu..^v.   ^ .  •   .    ..    i.;. 

with  the  printing  business  in  this  city,  up  to  the  period  prior  to  h.^ 
late  election  by  the  Senate  as  printer  to  ' '•]«  »'°''y-  J,*^'  j'^^V  *„ T.^ 
are  here  enumerated,   and  others   which  could  be  enumerated  of  s.m.Ur 


character,  are  truths.'  susceptible  "^  r'-""^*'*'**'^/^'  ^!.°"han' thai 
of  iustice  The  society  has  no  motive  in  detailing  them  other  than  thai 
lichTpring?from'th'e  overruling  dictates  o/,,^'""  r^^l^^^^X  %7y 
ervation  of  the  rights  of  its  members,  and  of  the  busmcss  thereby  tney 
earn  their  bread.  -i  u,   h-,- 

And  now,  we  ask  any  candid  man  to  say.  it  ne  tii 
perused  the  foregoing  facts,  whether  the  XVashington  li 
another  scheme,  springing  from  the  fruitful  mmd  of  its 
press  and  injure  the  journeymen— another  "mk  "  »''^  <^. 
has  constantly  been  engaged  in  forging  ''""PK  *''f  .*,  a, 
residence  amongst  them  intended  to  oppress  "^f' rj'K»'{;-  ^ 
with  iron  force,   the  prosperity  of  their  profession.      In  .1. 


144 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


the  main  object  of  which  is  to  promote^  the  personal  aggrandizement  of 
the  proprietor,  at  the  expense  of  the  journeymen,  and  in  utter  disre- 
gard of  their  interests. 

All,  or  nearly  all,  the  internal  regulations  of  the  Washington  Insti- 
tute will  be  found  to  corroborate  the  truth  of  the  view  just  taken  of  its 
object.  The  first  and  most  prominent  of  these  regulations  is,  that  the 
nioncy  to  which  the  student  is  entitled  at  the  period  of  his  graduation 
is  not  handed  to  him  as  property  which  is  legally  his  own,  but  is  loaned 
to  him  as  the  property  of  the  proprietor.  Now,  the  practice  which  cus- 
tom has  sanctioned  in  the  printing  business,  during  the  whole  period  of 
which  we  know  anything  of  its  history,  is  that  whatever  sum  an  appren- 
tice has  earned  beyond  a  certain  daily  task  which  is  set  for  him,  seldom 
exceeding -that  fixed  by  the  regulations  of  the  Washington  Institute,  is 
not  loaned,  but  paid  to  him  as  the  fruit  of  labor  to  which  he  is  justly 
and  honorably  entitled.  We  venture  to  ,say,  that  there  is  scarcely  a 
practical  printer  now  living  who  can  not  remember  the  feeling  of  delight 
with  which,  when  a  boy,  he  received  from  the  hands  of  his  employer 
the  amount  of  his  weekly  "overwork."  _ 

Another  regulation  of  the  institution,  and  which  will  further  con- 
firm the  view  we  have  taken  of  it,  is,  that  any  student  becoming  sick, 
or  otherwise  unable  to  attend  to  his  duties,  shall  be  "dismissed  from 
the  school,"  and  supported  till  the  restoration  of  his  health  by  his  par- 
ents or  guardian,  if  he  be  so  fortunate  as  to  possess  either.  This  regu- 
lation, which  we  are  almost  ready  to  pronounce  inhuman,  as  it  is  un- 
charitable and  unjust,  is  another  infringement  of  the  practice  which 
custom  has  sanctioned  in  our  business. 

These  two  regulations,  taken  in  connection  with  the  fact  that  $15,- 
600  will  be  annually  saved,  according  to  the  estimate  of  the  proprietor, 
by  the  substitution  of  the  labor  of  boys  for  that  of  journeymen,  prove, 
we  think,  beyond  a  doubt,  that  in  framing  the  project  of  the  Washington 
Institute,  its  proprietor  had  almost  a  single  eye  not  to  the  objects  of 
philanthropy  but  to  his  own  pecuniary  welfare. 

There  are  other  features  of  this  institution,  not  however  connected 
with  this  view  of  it,  to  which  the  philanthropist  must  object.  Solitary 
confinement  is  the  punishment  to  which  the  students  are  liable,  "sub- 
stituted"  as  the   proprietor   remarks    for    "corporal   punishment." 

Now,  it  is  a  matter  of  great  doubt  in  the  minds  of  enlightened  men, 
whether  the  substitute  here  mentioned  has  contributed  in  any  degree  to 
the  moral  improvement  of  society  in  this  or  any  prior  age.  But  can  it 
be  possible  that  the  proprietor  of  the  Washington  Institute  has  now  to  be 
informed  that  the  brutal  punishment  of  flagellation  has  almost  entirely 
ceased  in  all  well-regulated  offices  in  this  country,  and  without  the  sub- 
stitution, in  any  instance,  of  the  more  odious  punishment  of  solitary 
confinement?  The  application  of  such  a  system  to  youth,  the  season  of 
buoyancy  of  spirit  and  innocency  of  thought,  can  have  no  other  than 
the  most  deleterious  effect  upon  the  ripening  attributes  of  the  mind, 
gradually  hardening  it  against  the  common  sympathies  of  our   nature. 

"The  end  of  this  school"  (says  the  prospectus)  "is  to  educate  men 
that  they  may  have  intelligence  to  think  for  themselves  and"  (as  the 
effect  of  such  education)  "independence  to  act  up  to  the  principles 
which  their  judgments  approve.  What  would  be  the  condition  of  the 
public  mind  if  the  press  of  the  United  States  was  under  the  guidance 
of  such  men  now?"  (a) 

o  As  a  commentary  on  this  passage  we  will  take  the  liberty  to  make 
an  extract  from  the  United  States  Telegraph,  of  November,  _  1826, 
wherein  the  same  writer,  in  reply  to  an  article  which  appeared  in  the 
National  Journal,  expresses  the   following  sentiment: 

"Education,  honorable  motives  and  integrity  are  high  qualifications, 
but  are  your  educated  men  the  most  useful?  Will  not  Mr.  Force's  rule 
cut  off  that  large  portion  of  respectable  editors  scattered  over  the  coun- 
try, who,  like  Mr.  Force,  are  printers  by  profession? — Was  Franklin  or 
Thomas  Paine  educated?" 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    I'RINTF.RS 


J  45 


Passing  by  the  imputation  here  cast  upon  a  free  and  enliifhtenrd 
people  that  are  under  the  dominion,  and  follow  the  lead  of  the  news- 
paper press,  we  venture  to  express  a  doubt  whether,  if  the  end  here 
proposed  were  obtained,  it  would  advance,  in  any  degree,  the  character 
of  the  American  press.  Judging  from  the  experience  of  the  past,  we 
believe  that  no  improvement  which  this  institution  can  possibly  accom- 
plish is  demanded  in  the  ranks  of  our  profession;  for  it  is  believed  to 
be  an  indisputable  fact,  that  that  portion  of  the  newspaper  press  in  this 
country,  which  is  in  the  hands  of  those  who  have  been  journeymen 
printers,  is  conducted  with  as  much,  perhaps  more,  respect  to  the  feel- 
ings of  individuals,  and  with  a  greater  regard  for  the  character  of  the 
press  itself,  than  that  portion  of  it  conducted  by  other  persons.  In  bis 
course  heretofore  as  an  editor,  what  stable  claim  can  the  principal  of 
this  institution  advance  to  be  a  regenerator  of  the  American  press?  Has 
the  newspaper  of  which  he  has  been  for  many  years  the  proprietor,  been 
conducted  either  with  regard  to  its  doctrines  and  sentiments,  or  in  the 
morality  of  its  language,  with  that  soundness  and  purity  >ahich,  we 
should  suppose,  ought  to  characterize  that  journal  whose  conductor 
holds  himself  up  as  a  regenerator  of  the  .Viuencan  press?  We  It.ivc  the 
reader  to  answer  these  questions  according  to  his  judgment ;  believinn 
that  there  can  be  but  one  reolv  to  them,  especially  from  those  who  are 
patrons  of  the  journal  in  question. 

Instead  of  regenerating  the  American  press,  we  think  the  Wash- 
ington Institute  rather  calculated  to  inflict  a  lasting  injury  upon  it. 
The  imagination  of  man  could  scarcely  have  devised  a  better  or  more 
effectual  scheme  for  the  prostration  of  its  usefulness,  its  morality,  and 
its  independence.  The  graduates  of  this  institution  are  educated  by 
hundreds  in  the  same  school,  imbibing  from  this  common  fountain  of 
instruction  the  principles  and  opinions  of  the  proprietor,  when  they 
come  to  be  conductors  of  the  press,  they  will  be  governed  by  those 
opinions,  he  they  good  or  be  they  evil.  Being  indebted  to  the  principal 
of  the  institution  in  the  sum  which  has  enabled  them  to  commence  busi- 
ness, the  tone  of  each  pap-cr  will,  through  fear  of  the  screws  of  the 
law,  be  regulated  hy  the  chord  which  is  struck  at  the  institution  at 
Washington.  Indeed,  upon  a  close  examination  of  all  the  circumstances 
connected  with  its  organization,  we  are  contident  in  the  belief,  and  feel 
justified  in  announcing  it  to  the  public,  that  the  second,  if  not  the  first, 
great  leading  object  of  the  tormation  of  the  Washington  Institute,  is 
the  establishment  of  a  league  of  presses  throughout  the  United  •|'«»«« 
through  the  instrumentality  of  the  students  whom  it  shall  graduate. 
No  such  purpose  is.  of  course,  avowed  in  the  prospectus  of  the  insti- 
tution, vet  in  confirmation  of  its  truth  is  the  fact,  currently  reported 
and  believed  in  this  city,  that  eminent  leadmg  politicians  «if  the  coun- 
try have  countenanced  the  design  of  the  institution,  and  have  loaned 
heavy  sums  of  money  to  its  proprietor  in  aid  of  its  formation. 

The   extent   of   the    power   which    will    be   thus   concentrated    in    th* 
hands    of   the    proprietor    of   this    institution,    and    of    those    wuh    uh   r-i 
he   acts,    after   it   shall   have   gone   fully   into  operation,   th- 
can    scarcely    limit— its    disastrous    effects    upon    the    mom    ■ 
pendence    of    the    press,    extending    throughout    the    Lnton. 
bring   it   into   irretrievable   disgrace   in   the  estimation   of  an  - 

communitv,   or   fasten    on   the   liberties  of  the   people   a  discaic  i»  Jua.u 
some  to  the  eyes  of  the  patriot  as  dangerous  and  incurable.       ^    , 

Another    interest    which    this    institution    is   calculntrri    t"    injure,    is 

that  of  the  employers  generally.     After  it  shall   ha%;  — " 

ful    operation    (of    which,    however,    we    are    perfci  • 

strong    doubt)    what    employer,    under    the    present 

with    the    Washington    Institute?      .According    to    fl  • 

principal,  $15,600  will  be  annually  saved  by  the  opcr.m.  •. 

tution— that    is,    by    the    employment    of    boys    insteaci    oi 

which   sum,   it   must  be   remembered,    is   exclusive  ot   the   •  ^ 

of  the  employers.     With  such   an  immense  fund  as  this  a'         ,  ^.^ 

what    will    prevent   the   proprietor  of   this   institution    trom   l^-^'-f 

present    prices    of    the    employers    to    such    a    »'»"'*";?    •»'"'^*LJ''^J* 

them  to  close  their  respective  oflkes?     An  entire  monopoly  of  lh«  b"« 


146  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

ness,  according  to  the  ordinary  operation  of  trades,  will  thus  be  ef- 
fected, unless  similar  institutions  are  established  by  the  employers  gen- 
erally, which  must  ultimately  take  place  if  the  present  institution  shall 
go  into  successful  operation. 

But  the  injury  which  the  Washington  Institute  is  calculated  to 
inflict  upon  the  interests  of  the  journeymen,  as  well  as  upon  the  print- 
ing business  generally,  is,  to  us,  one  of  its  most  objectionable  features. 
The  very  first  step  in  its  career  thrusts  the  great  body  of  the  journey- 
men from  its  proprietor's  employment;  and  if  the  principles  upon 
which  it  is  founded  should  obtain  throughout  the  country,  the  very 
name  of  a  journeyman  printer  would  be  unknown,  or  known  only  as  a 
title  of  reproach  and  degradation;  and  a  large  body  of  men  who  now 
depend  upon  their  labor  as  journeymen  for  the  support  of  themselves 
and  their  families  must  seek  new  channels  for  the  prosecution  of  labor, 
or  be  exposed  to  all  the  miseries  which  attend  the  want  of  employment. 

The  extent  of  distress,  however,  which  would  fall  immediately  upon 
the  journeymen,  by  the  successful  prosecution  of  this  institution,  great 
as  it  undoubtedly  will  be,  would  be  even  less  than  that  which  must  be 
felt  by  the  pupils  themselves,  when  they  become  of  age,  after  the  insti- 
tution shall  have  numbered  a  few  years  in  its  existence.  The  sphere  in 
which  they  were  designed  to  be  placed  having  been  abundantly  supplied 
by  their  predecessors,  they  will  be  launched  forth  into  the  world  with 
but  little  regard  to  the  direction  which  they  may  pursue.  We  will  sup- 
pose what  is  very  improbable  that  each  one  of  them  will  be  seriously 
disposed  to  commence  .the  business  he  has  learned,  or  some  other. 
He  would  first  attemfit,  most  probably,  to  embark  in  his  own  business. 
He  looks  around  him  in  the  city  in  which  he  has  been  educated,  and 
finds  every  avenue  to  its  successful  operation  already  filled;  he  goes 
abroad  from  place  to  place,  but  everywhere  finds  the  opening  so  small 
that  his  limited  means  and  experience  can  not  push  him  through. 
Thus  in  fruitless  attempts  to  enter  his  profession,  he  gradually  sinks 
the  small  capital  which  was  loaned  to  him  at  the  period  of  his  gradua- 
tion. And  now,  what  is  his  condition?  What  has  he  gained  by  the 
labors  and  studies  of  his  boyhood?  The  money  which  he  possessed,  and 
for  which  he  is  amenable  to  the  law,  is  gone!  He  can  not  enter  his 
business- as  an  employer,  and  there  are  now  no  journeymen  printers — 
the  baneful  school  which  generated  him  having  destroyed  their  occupa- 
tion. The  business  which  hs  has  learned  is  now,  for  all  practical  pur- 
poses, altogether  useless  to  him;  and  he  now  finds,  too  late  for  any  effi- 
cient remedy,  that,  if  he  wishes  to  be  numbered  among  the  honorable 
of  the  land,  he  must  begin  the  business  of  life  anew! 

That  this  picture  will  prove  to  be  a  true  one,  we  confidently  be- 
lieve. Can  parents  or  guardians,  then,  lend  their  aid  to  the  establish- 
ment of  this  institution,  by  enrolling  their  children,  or  others,  under 
their  charge,  on  the  list  of  its  incumbents?  Are  you  willing  that  the 
children,  for  whose  future  welfare  you  are  responsible,  in  so  far  as 
giving  its  proper  direction  to  their  early  career  can  make  them  so, 
shall  waste  the  prime  of  that  period  of  life  which  the  God  of  nature 
evidently  designed  for  instruction,  in  the  attainment  of  the  knowledge 
of  a  business  which  they  can  never  pursue  or,  if  pursued,  pursued  un- 
der the  tremendous  disadvantages  which  must  necessarily  result  from 
a  competition  with  the  myriads  of  their  fellow  graduates — a  disad- 
vantage which  will  be  daily  growing  worse,  and  which  must  ultimately 
overwhelm  them   in   ruin. 

In  every  view  which  can  be  taken  of  this  institution,  it  is  strongly 
objectionable;  and  it  ought  not,  we  think,  to  go  into  operation.  What 
means  then  can  be  vised,  consistent  with  the  spirit  of  the  laws,  to  pre- 
vent its  organization?  The  society  is  perfectly  aware  of  the  delicacy 
of  the  situation  in  which  circumstances  have  placed  it.  It  knows  very 
well  that  there  is  no  law  for  the  protection  of  the  occupation  of  the 
laboring  community.  The  rights  of  journeymen,  and  of  the  working 
classes  generally,  have,  indeed,  been  wonderfully  overlooked  or  disre- 
garded in  the  United  States.  A  high  state  of  prosperity,  necessarily 
accompanying  the  prosperity  of  the  country  has  hitherto,  no  doubt, 
caused   them    to   overlook    those    rights,    which,    in    other   countries,    have 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTKRS  1^7 

long  since  received  the  protection  of  the  laws.  All  combinations,  where 
the  rights  or  property  of  individuals  are  intended  to  be  operated  upon 
we  are  compelled  to  acknowledge,  are  founded  in  a  principle  which  i> 
erroneous;  but  it  is  surely  the  duty  of  a  good  government  to  prevent 
their  occurrence,  by  extending  the  powerful  hand  of  the  law  to  the  pro- 
tection of  those  interests  which  are  now  altogether  unguarded.  The 
occupation  of  the  journeyman  is,  with  a  very  few  e.xceptiuns.  his  only 
estate;  it  is  to  him  as  invaluable  in  a  certain  sense,  as  the  property  of 
the  rich  man;  it  enables  him  to  live,  to  support  his  family,  and  to  lay 
by  the  means  which  shall  support  him  in  sickness,  or  when  the  wither- 
ing hand  of  age  sliall  be  laid  upon  him.  It  is.  indeed,  a  species  of 
property;  and  as  such  demands  the  protection  of  the  laws.  Combina- 
tions amongst  the  working  classes,  it  may  be  confidently  asserted,  woulo 
never  take  place,  if  their  employment  were  protected  by  law;  and 
where  they  do  occur,  are  but  the  necessary  consequence  of  keeping 
that  employment  out  of  the  pale  of  the  laws. 

One  of  the  main  objects  for  which  government  was  instituted 
amongst  men,  is  the  security  of  property.  The  laws  which  guard  it. 
where  it  is  guarded  at  all,  are  even  more  comprehensive  than  those 
which  protect  life.  1  he  homicide,  by  crossing  the  boundary  line  of 
his  country,  is,  in  the  eyes  of  the  laws  of  the  country  in  which  he  has 
taken  shelter,  a  guiltless  man;  but  the  debtor  may  seek  refuge  amid 
the  glaciers  of  Switzerland;  bury  himself  beneath  the  snows  of  Siberia; 
or  hide  in  the  jungles  of  India;  he  is  everywhere  insecure — every- 
where the  debtor,   while   within   the   boundaries  of  civilized  siK-icty. 

Comprehensive  and  extensive  indeed  are  the  laws  which  secure 
to  the  citizen  the  inviolability  of  his  property.  .Vfter  the  journeyman 
has  earned  $10,  the  powerful  hand  of  the  law  secures  it  to  his  use; 
but  the  means  whereby  he  earns  that  sum  are  left  entirely  unprotected. 
His  business,  to  learn  which  he  has  devoted  the  whole  period  of  his 
minority,  may  be  entered,  to  his  exclusion,  by  any  one  and  at  any  mo- 
ment, and  is  constantly  liable  to  innovations  destructive  to  its  very 
existence;  in  proof  of  which  the  organization  of  the  Washington  Insti- 
tute need  only  be  named.  The  impotcncy  of  the  laws,  in  regard  to  this 
subject  being  thus  manifest,  what  course  is  left  for  this  society  to  pur- 
sue, with  an  evil  of  such  fearful  magnitude  hanging  over  the  vocation 
of  its  members?  The  dangerous  hand  of  empiricism  is  tampering  with 
the  best  interests  of  their  profession;  and  can  it  be  expected  that  they 
will  stand  tamely  by,  the  silent  spectators  of  its  overthrow? 

Fellow  craftsmen  of  the  union!  It  is  in  your  ears,  then,  that  this 
appeal  must  sound  loudest  and  strongest.  Without  your  powerful  aid, 
the  Washington  Institute,  and  the  principles  upon  which  it  is  founded 
must  be  fastened  upon  us!  There  are  no  means  of  escape  from  the 
crisis  which  awaits  us — it  must  be  met,  and  met  fearlessly,  whether 
in  the  conflict  we  survive  or  fall.  Repeatedly  have  we  implored  it« 
principal  to  abandon  his  enterprise,  but  we  have  asked  in  vain.  The 
organization  of  the  institution  has  already  commenced,  and  without  a 
prompt  and  vigorous  effort,  united  as  one  man  throughout  the  whole 
union,  boys  will  usurp  your  places,  and  our  honorable  occupation  will 
be  numbered  among  the  things  which  are  gone.  Can  yiui— will  you 
submit  to  this  humiliating  condition?  Shall  a  single  individual,  not 
numbered  among  you  as  a  practical  printer,  who.  since  he  h.T*  been 
connected  with  the  business  in  this  city,  has  at  different  perimls  en- 
deavored to  reduce,  and  in  one  instance  has  actually  reduced  the  price 
of  your  labor,  and  who,  in  his  intercourse  with  those  in  his  employ,  has. 
on  some  occasions,  conducted  himself  toward  them  like  the  m.iMer  to 
the  slave — shall  Mr.  Duff  Green  be  permitted,  without  an  effort  from 
vou  to  prevent  it,  to  establish  the  Washington  Institute — the  List.  mo»l 
effectual   and  most  deadlv  blow  at  the  interests  of  your  profession. 

Aside  from  your  pecuniary  interests,  which  this  institution  m  in- 
tended to  subvert,  have  you  not  the  feelinp  of  printers  for  ihr  iw-nor 
and  character  of  your  profession,  which  it  is  also  calculated  to  'leMrorr 
You  are,  to  a  certain  extent,  responsible  for  the  character  o«  .l»»« 
American  press:— as  practical  printers  you  are  the  natural  K"«^||j«n» 
of  its  liberty;  its  purity  and  its  honor— will  you  then  lend  your  aid  in 


1^8  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

establishing  this  manufactory  of  editors — pensioned  conductors  of  that 
press,  the  integrity  of  which  it  is  your  interest  as  well  as  your  duty, 
should  all  other  classes  of  society  desert  it,  to  uphold  and  maintain 
with  jealous  regard  and  sleepless  vigilance? 

And  now,  fellow  craftsmen,  in  concluding  this  appeal,  we  ask  your 
united  co-operation  in  the  attempt  which  will  be  made  by  the  printers 
of  \\'ashington  to  discountenance  this  institution.  Lend  not  your  sery- 
ices  to  its  principal  as  instructors  or  teacliers  of  the  institution.  This 
negative  part  is  all  that  is  now  required  of  you.  By  a  contrary  course, 
at  the  present  moment,  you  may  become  the  unwilling  instruments  of 
its  successful  organization,  and  in  after  years,  when  you  come  to  par- 
take of  its  bitter  fruits,  the  mortifying  reflection  that  you  contributed 
to  the  establishment  of  the  institution  will  goad  you;  for  its  organiza- 
tion will  be,  in  part,  your  own  act,  if  by  no  timely  interference  to 
turn  aside  the  blow  you  suffer  it  neglectively  to  fall  upon  you. 

PROTEST   OF    PRINTERS   ASSEMBLED    IN    PUBLIC    MEET- 
ING,   1834. 

Proceedings  of  the  meetings  of  the  printers  of  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia relative  to  the  Washington  Institute,  a  school  about  to  be  or- 
ganized in  the  city  of  Washington  by  Duff  Green;  which  proposes 
to  substitute,  in  the  printing  business,  the  labor  of  boys  for  that 
of  journeymen. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  printers  of  the  city  of  Washington,  held  on 
the  19th  of  August,  of  which  Mr.  A.  F.  Cunningham  was  appointed 
chairman,  and  Mr.  James  F.  Haliday,  secretary,  the  following  resolu- 
tions were  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  it  is  recommended  by  the  printers  of  this  meeting, 
that  there  be  called,  on  F^riday  evening  next,  22A  inst.,  a  general 
meeting  of  all  the  employing  and  journeymen  printers  of  the  District 
of  Columbia,  at  the  City  Hall,  at  7  o'clock  p.  m.,  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  into  consideration  the  proposal  of  General  Duff  [Green]  for  the 
establishment  of  a  manual-labor  school,  entitled  by  him  the  "Washing- 
ton Institute." 

Resolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  be  signed  by  the 
chairman  and  secretary,  and  that  the  publishers  of  the  newspapers  of 
this  district  be  requested  to  publish  them. 

A.  F.  Cunningham,  Chairman. 

James  F.   Haliday,  Secretary. 

MEETING  OF   THE   PRINTERS   OF   THE   DISTRICT,    AUGUST    22. 

In  pursuance  of  the  above  call,  the  largest  rneeting  of  printers 
(about  300)  ever  convened  in  this  city,  was  organized  in  the  council 
chamber.  City  Hall,  Mr.  A.  F.  Cunningham  being  called  to  the  chair, 
and  Messrs.  J.  T.  Towers  and  J.   F.    Haliday  appointed  secretaries. 

On  being  conducted  to  the  chair,   Mr.   Cunningham  said: 

In  taking  the  chair  this  evening  to  preside  over  this  enlightened 
meeting,  I  feel  much  my  own  weakness,  and  solicit  the  indulgence  and 
aid  of  every  gentleman  in  preserving  order  and  decorum.  I  trust  that 
no  expression  will  Be  allowed  to  escape  from  the  lips  of  any  which 
will  cause  regret  on  the  morrow.  Let  cool  judgment  preside  over  your 
minds,  and  direct  your  councils.  The  object  we  have  in  view  may  not 
be  accomplished  in  a  week  nor  a  month;  let  us  therefore  so  act  that  we 
may -hold  out  to  the  end.  This  meeting  is  for  the  purpose  of  taking 
into  consideration  the  proposed  plan  of  Gen.  Duff  Green  to  establish  a 
manual-labor  school,  in  pursuance  of  a  call  which  has  been  published 
in  some  of  the  daily  papers,  emanating  from  a  meeting  held  on  Tues- 
day last,  in  this  city.  The  meeting  is  nov/  organized,  and  waits  your 
action. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTKRS  l_^g 

On  motion  of  Mr.  E.  B.  Robinson,  a  committee  of  five  was  ap- 
pointed, consisting  of  Messrs.  K.  I?.  Robinson,  G.  C.  Smoot,  John 
Finch,  Z.  Wade  (of  Alexandria)  and  W.  W.  Curran,  to  draft  resolu- 
tions, expressive  of  the  views  of  the  meeting.  After  being  absent  for 
the  space  of  half  an  hour,  Mr.  Robinson,  in  behalf  of  the  committee 
presented  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions,  which  were  read 
and  unanimously  adopted. 

Whereas,  a  plan  is  proposed  by  Gen.  Duff  Green,  editor  of  the 
United  States  Telegraph,  which,  if  carried  into  execution,  must  vitally 
injure  the  interests  of  the  profession,  and  tend  to  the  depreciation  of 
prices,  so  much  so  that  no  other  employer  can  compete  with  him,  and 
must  finally  throw  tlie  youth,  who  may  be  taught  in  his  institute,  upon 
the  world,  without  labor,  and  consequently,  without  support:  And. 
whereas,  self-preservation  being  the  first  law  of  nature,  the  journey- 
men printers  feel  it  incumbent  upon  them  to  take  such  steps  as  will 
prevent  the  consummation  of  an  oppressive  monopoly,  that  is  designed 
to  ruin  them  and  their  families,  by  depriving  them  of  all  chance  of 
participating  in  the  benefits  which  flow  from  the  public  printing,  the 
prices  for  executing  which  were  based  on  the  wages  paid  to  the  jour- 
neymen, and  which  was  never  contemplated  by  Congress  should  be 
performed  by  any  other  than  them:  And  whereas,  the  benefits  which 
General  Green  contemplates  will  accrue  to  the  boys  who  shall  be  edu- 
cated in  his  proposed  institute  can  never  be  realized  to  them,  nor  re- 
dound to  his  honor  or  profit,  the  printers  feel  it  their  duty,  under- 
standing the  subject  as  they  do,  to  use  their  best  endeavors  to  warn 
him  of  the  evils  which  await  his  undertaking,  and  to  dissuade  him 
from  farther  prosecuting  a  scheme  which  must  forever  break  up  the 
friendly  relations  that  have  heretofore  existed  between  him  and  them; 
and  they  feel  sanguine  he  will  relinquish  it,  when  he  is  made  aware 
that  the  "little  community"  which  claimed  so  much  of  his  solicitude 
a  year  ago,  will  be  scattered  and  left  destitute,  in  order  to  make  room 
for  another  and  an  untried  "community"  which  must  carry  ruin  and 
disgrace  with  it  to  those  wlio  may  toster  and  uphold  it,  and  finally 
wither  and  become  extinct;  but  if  he  be  determined  to  persevere,  thejr 
feel  it  their  solemn  duty  to  protect  themselves,  by  using  every  legiti- 
mate means  in  their  power  to  prevent  him  from  accomplishing  his 
ruinous  and  ungenerous  design;  therefore, 

1.  Be  it  Resolved.  That  as  journeymen  printers,  we  feel  deeply 
interested  in  all  movements  of  the  employers  which  have  a  tendency 
to  injure  the  business,  and  look  upon  the  prospectus  lately  issued  br 
Gen.  Duff  Green  as  going  directly  to  destroy  the  profession  lo  which 
we  belong. 

2.  Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  seven  be  appointed  to  draft  to 
address  to  the  people  of  the  United  States,  giving  a  full  expose  of  his 
connection  with  the  press  in  this  city,  and  the  prob.ibic  result  of  his 
institute,  the  very  elements  of  which  are  fraught  with  d.-stnu  li.>n  to 
the  independence  of  the  present  printers,  and  which  h.is  for  it-  object 
the  prostration  of  the  minds  of  the  future  guardians  of  the  press  to 
the  dictation  of  one  man. 

[The  chair  appointed  as  the  committee  under  this  resolution. 
Messrs.  J.  Clephane,  G.  C.  Smoot,  J.  Stockwcll.  \V.  W.  Curran.  L.  B. 
Robinson,  John   Finch,  and   E.  Laporte.] 

3.  Resolved.  That  we  believe  it  will  be  impossible  for  On.  Duff 
Green  to  prosecute  his  theory  without  the  patronage  of  the  novem- 
ment;  and  that  should  he  remain  determined  to  go  on,  the  commilfec 
be  authorized  to  draw  up  a  memorial,  which  shall  be  sent  l<>  cvrry 
town  and  printing  office  in  the  United  States  for  signature*.  jrayinK 
Congress  to  withhold  their  patronage  from  a  man  who  is  only  dciroui. 
of  self-aggrandizement,  and  of  breaking  down  that  spirit  of  <T"l«y 
which   has  always  characterized   the  journeymen  printer*  and  tncir  em- 


150  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

ployers,    by    the    erection    of    an    odious    monopoly    in    the    heart    of    the 
country,   that  shall   be  sustained  by  the  Congress   of  the  United   States. 

4.  Resolved,  That  we  will,  individually,  do  all  in  our  power  to  aid 
the  committee  in  carrying  into  effect  the  foregoing  resolutions;  and 
we  do  hereby  pledge  ourselves  to  sustain  each  other  in  all  legal  steps 
which  may  be  taken  to  circumvent  the  scheme  that  is  intended  to  de- 
prive us  of  our  living,  by  taking  from  us  the  means  of  pursuing  our 
profession. 

5.  Resolved,  That  having  the  fullest  confidence  in  the  Columbia 
Typographical  Society,  we  pledge  ourselves,  to  the  extent  of  our  ability, 
to  aid  it  in  the  measures  it  has  already  taken,  or  any  other  it  may  think 
necessary  to  adopt,  in  order  to  defeat  the  establishment  of  said  "Manual 
Labor  School,   or  Washington   Institute." 

6.  Resolved,  That  we  request  the  co-operation  of  all  the  printers, 
both  employing  and  employed,  throughout  the  United  States,  in  discoun- 
tenancing the  establishment  of  the   Washington   Institute. 

7.  Resolved,  That  every  journeyman  printer  who  shall  be  known 
to  aid  or  instruct  in  any  manner,  any  apprentice  in  the  said  institute,  be 
held  up  to  universal  contempt  by  the  printing  community  throughout 
the  United  States. 

8.  Resolved,  That  all  reasonable  expenses  to  which  the  committee 
may  be  subjected,  shall  be  defrayed  by  the  members  of  this  meeting, 
who  cordially  pledge  themselves  to  contribute  their  quota  whenever 
called  on. 

Mr.  Baldwin  offered  the  following,  which  was  unanimously  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  meeting  be  tendered  to  Reu- 
ben Burdine,  Esq.,  for  procuring  the  use  of  the  council  chamber  for 
the  accommodation   of  this  meeting. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  G.   C.  Smoot  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  secretaries  forward  a  copy  of  the  proceedings 
of  this  meeting  to  Gen.  Duff  Green,  and  to  every  typographical  society 
in  the  United  States. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Pratt  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  be  signed  by  the 
chairman  and  the  secretaries,  and  that  the  newspapers  in  this  District, 
and  throughout  the  United   States,  be   requested   to   publish   them. 

A.    F.    Cunningham,    Chairman. 
Jno.  Thos.  Towers, 
James  F.   Haliday, 

Secretaries. 
adjourned  meeting. 

An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  printers  of  the  District  of  Columbia, 
was  held  (pursuant  to  public  notice)  at  the  aldermen's  room.  City  Hall, 
on  Tuesday  evening,   2nd   September. 

The  proceedings  of  the  last  meeting  having  been  read,  the  chair- 
man presented  the   following  communication: 

Gentlemen:  In  perusing  General  Green's  answer  to  the  protest  of 
the  Columbia  Typographical  Society,  your  chairman  noticed  a  reference 
to  a  part  of  the  proceedings  of  the  journeymen  printers  held  on  the 
22A  ultimo,  which  is  erroneous,  both  in  letter  and  in  fact,  which,  as 
your  chairman,  he  has  thought  it  his  duty  to  bring  to  your  notice,  that 
publicly  it  may  be  denied.  General  Green  insinuates  throughout  his 
answer,  that  we  are  actuated  in  this  measure  by  others  behind  the 
scenes,  who  are  his  competitors  for  <he  Senate's  printing.  This  insinu- 
ation is  all  we  could  expect  from  an  individual  who  has  proclaimed 
the  men  by  whom  he  has  become  enriched  "ignorant  journeymen." 
We   throw   back   the  charge,   and   inform  him    that,   however   others   may 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    TRINTERS  ,;, 

be  induced  to  sell  themselves  for  gold,  the  members  of  this  meeting. 
alUiough  united  as  one  man  to  stay  the  hand  of  encroachment  and  op- 
pression, are  composed  of  political  materials  too  various  to  be  dictated 

to  by   any  individual. 

General  Green  also  takes  exception  to  some .  remarks  made  at  the 
late  meeting  of  this  body,  which,  according  to  your  order,  were  pub- 
lished as  part  of  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting,  and  after  givmg  the 
names  of  several  Catholic  clergy,  says  that  he  "makes  this  correction, 
that  the  meeting  may  revise  the  published  account  of  their  proceed- 
ings." Believing  that  the  meeting  intended  doing  justice  to  all,  your 
chairman  conceived  it  to  be  his  duty  to  call  on  such  authority,  referred 
to  by  General  Green,  as  his  time  and  means  permitted.  He  did  so.  and 
has  to  state,  that  at  first,  the  gentlemen  referred  to  were  struck  with 
the  plausibility  of  his  plan,  and  looked  upon  it  with  favor.  I...-  •'  ,• 
they  never  approbated  it;  that  each  hour's  reflection  on  his  - 
convinced  them  that  it  was  fraught  with  incalculable  evils  to  .t1: 
General  Green  designed  to  employ;  and  that  instead  of  proposing  ■  •: 
gage  them  in  the  female  labor,  "necessarily  employed  in  so  large  an  »s- 
tablishment,"  the  idea  conveyed  to  said  clergy  was,  that  the  children 
were  to  be  taught  in  the  art  and  mystery  of  the  male  labor  of  a  printing 
office. 

The  committee   appointed   at  the   last   meeting  to  draft  an  address 
to  the  people  of  the  United  States,  submitted  the  following,  which   was 

unanimously  adopted: 

To  THE  People  of  the  United  States: 

Believing   that,    in    the    history   of    the    press   in    this   country, 
never  was  a  more  critical  period  than  the  present,  whether  as  it   • 
the   freedom   of  the  people,   or   the  liberty  of  the  press  itself.   t!i 
ing,    impressed    with    the    importance   of   the   subject,    have   coiim!' 
their   duty    to   address    their    fellow   citizens   throughout    the    I'ni.ii.    u  I 
to  lay   before  them   a   development  of  the   plan   by   which   their   interests 
are   about   to    be    affected.      Upon    us,   as   printers,   the    immediate   iniury 
will    fall;    but    we   will   not   be   the   only  victims   of   this   innovaf"'     •   ' 
from   the  many   ramifications  of  the  scheme   we  are  about  to  ex.r 
will    appear   *hat   injury,    more   or   less,    must   accrue   to   the   wli. 
munitv.      In    corroboration    of    the   above,    we    lay    before    the    i 
the   spirit   of   truth    and   candor,   the    following  brief   statement 

Gen.    Duff   Green,   Printer   to  the   Senate  of   the    United   M.^' 
editor   of   the    United    States   Telegraph,    is   about   commencing    i 
tion  of  a  manual-labor  school  in  this  city,  under  the  name  ..i  r 
ington   Institute,"   in  which     he  proposed  to  bring  up  -Jo.. 
ously,    to    the    printing    business,    and    to    educate    them 
their   own    labor.      This   he   means   to   do   under   the   spo. 
"regenerating    the    morale    of   the    American    press;"    witli        - 
been  but  a  few  years  connected  and  who  has  hut  a  superticial  k: 
of  the   art,   or  the  men   employed   by  him   in   the   business.      N  n 
tends  to  have-  discovered  a   radical   defect   in   its  m.inncrrTirrr :    • 
pompous  prospectus,  he  endeavors  to  enlist  the  sv 
in  his  behalf,   in  order  to  enable  him  to  accompli- 

The   great   tendency   of   this   scheme    will  con- 
tration  of  the  journeyman,  and  to  deprive  him   ot 
labor,    the    only   inheritance   of   which    he   can    boast ,    ii.l    i".    • 
monopolv.    to    turn    to    his    own    advantage    the    profits    ot    the 
publishing   and   binding   of   this   District,   thus   destroying   thoor 
gaged    in    business,    and    throwing   all    those   hranchcs    o     tiir 
under  the  sole   direction  of  one  man— a  thing  much  to  i. 
all    times:    "and    though    printers   are    hut    men      and    n.'. 
pressure   of  circumstances,   yet  the   man   mav  burst   torti; 
and.  proudly  feeling  his  right  to  liberty  and  equality,   ti. 
attempts    of   any    individual    to   lay    him    under   restraint 
deprive  him  of  the  means  of  existence.     This  is  not  th.- 
apprehended.      It    portends    incalculable    dangers.    a«    »r 


152  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

liberties  of  our  country.  When  innovations  of  this  nature  upon  our 
long-established  customs  are  proposed,  they  are  sufficient  to  awaken 
our  fears,  and  to  arouse  us  in  defense  of  those  blessings  which  we 
have  long  enjoyed,  and  which  have  so  essentially  conduced  to  the  pros- 
perity of  this  favored  country. 

The  Columbia  Typographical  Society  has  already  issued  a  protest 
against  this  encroachment  upon  their  rights,  in  which  they  have  fairly 
exhibited  the  injurious  consequences  which  must  result  to  the  com- 
munity, as  well  as  to  the  printers.  We  heartily  join  them  in  their 
reprobation  of  this  singular  and  unprecedented  theory.  It  is  not  for 
us  to  dictate  to  any  man  what  course  he  ought  to  pursue,  or  to  set 
limits  to  the  field  of  his  action,  whether  his  efforts  be  directed  to  the 
forwarding  of  his  own  interested  views,  or  to  the  line  of  conduct  which 
he  may  adopt  for  himself;  but  we  do  contend  that  we  have  an  in- 
alienable right  to  protect  ourselves  and  our  interests  from  encroach- 
ments of  any  and  every  kind,  and  to  sound  the  alarm  when  we  appre- 
hend danger. 

It  is  not  to  be  disguised,  that  the  motive  for  establishing  this 
school  is  of  a  "peculiarly"  political  character.  This  may  be  drawn 
from  the  whole  tenor  of  the  prospectus.  Although  pains  have  evi- 
dently been  taken  to  clothe  it  in  ambiguous  language,  so  as  to  leave 
it  liable  to  different  interpretations,  yet  to  those  who  are  acquainted 
with  the  nature  of  the  undertaking,  as  well  as  with  the  former  views 
of  General  Green,  it  is  as  clear  as  noonday,  and  capable  of  easy  demon- 
stration. There  is  no  better  way  to  arrive  at  the  truth  of  the  problem, 
than  to  trace  up  the  chain  of  events  which  led  to  the  point  at  issue. 
As  far  back  as  1828,  General  Green  communicated  to  his  then  partner 
in  business,  that  he  intended  to  have  his  work  performed  by  boys,  by 
which  means  he  would  be  enabled  to  carry  on  his  business  at  a  cheaper 
rate  than  those  who  employed  journeymen.  Indeed,  General  Green's 
course,  since  his  connection  with  the  press  in  this  city  in  1826,  has 
been  one  continued  effort  of  innovation;  and  to  get  his  work  done  at  a 
less  price  than  the  established  tariff,  appears  to  have  been,  as  it  is  now 
acknowledged  to  be,   his  great  desideratum. 

The  brief  history  of  that  connection  follows:  The  Washington 
Gazette,  for  a  long  time  printed  by  J.  Elliott,  was  purchased  by  the 
party  opposed  to  John  Quincy  Adams,  for  the  main  purpose  of  opposing 
his  re-election.  That  paper  was  discontinued,  and  the  United  States 
Telegraph  was  established.  About  this  period  General  Green  made  his 
appearance  in  Washington.  He  immediately  became  acquainted  with 
the  selected  editor,  Mr.  J.  S.  Meehan,  a  man  of  unquestionable  integ- 
rity, of  respectable  talents,  and  possessing  a  thorough  knowledge  of 
the  printing  business,  both  in  theory  and  in  practice.  Through  this 
means  General  Gjeen  soon  became  acquainted  with  the  leading  mem- 
bers of  the  Jackson  party,  and  proving  his  ability  to  take  charge  of 
such  an  establishment,  by  his  contributions  to  the  editorial  department, 
he  very  soon  superseded  Mr.  Meehan,  and  became  the  sole  editor  and 
proprietor.  Nothing,  however,  could  be  inferred  from  hence  that  Mr. 
Meehan  was  not  willmg  that  the  change  should  be  made,  or  that  every 
measure  thereof  did  not  meet  his  cordial  approbation. ,  No  circum- 
stance worthy  of  note  took  place,  until  the  winter  of  1827-28,  when  the 
party  in  the  Senate  opposed  to  Mr.  Adams,  and  in  favor  of  the  election 
of  General  Jackson,  united  and  elected  General  Green  printer  to  that 
body.  Shortly  after  this  event.  General  Green  appears  to  have  con- 
ceived the  idea  of  reducing  the  prices  paid  for  labor,  and  also  of  re- 
ducing the  expenses  of  his  office  by  the  introduction  of  boys,  which 
he  increased  by  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1828  to  the  number  of 
thirty  or   forty. 

The  allurements  of  education,  and  the  great  personal  advantages 
were  then  as  now,  held  out  to  them.  They  were  told  that  a  library 
would  be  procured  for  their  use — that  instruction  would  be  given  -liem 
in  the  professional  departments;  and  that,  by  the  expiration  of  tieir 
term  of  service,  they  might,  by  study  and  attention,  fit  themselves 
either   for  editors,   doctors,   or  lawyers. 

This    system    was    indeed    commenced.      Each    boy    was    required    to 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  153 

•write  a  treatise  upon  some  subject;  and  one  evening  in  each  week  wa« 
set  apart  for  receiving  those  productions,  and  passing  judgment  utKjn 
'tlieir  merits.  This  was  continued  for  a  short  period;  but  this  plan  (or 
raising  a  library  failing,   the  scheme  was  abandoned. 

General  Green's  plan  for  raising  a  library  for  the  use  of  the  boy« 
was  as  singular  as  it  was  novel — no  other  than  that  of  laying  a  Ux  of 
25  per  cent  on  that  part  of  the  wages  of  the  journeymen,  denominated 
"overwork."  General  Green,  who  never  willingly  abandons  a  position 
once  taken,  discovering  that  the  prices  paid  for  overwork  were  greater 
than  what  the  journeymen  could  actually  claim  by  the  tariff  of  prices, 
reduced  that  item  from  20  (a  price  still  willingly  paid  by  other  employ- 
ing printers  in  tliis  city)  to  16  2-3  cents  per  hour,  pro  rata  wiih  their 
weekly  wages  which  is  $10  ner  week,  thus  exultingly  putting  in  his  own 
pocket  what  had  been  denied  him  to  raise  a  library.  .About  the  Mmc 
period  of  making  this  encroachment  upon  the  journeymen,  he  attempted 
to  reform  his  boy  system.  I5ut  such  of  the  boys  as  considered  hi«  re- 
form an  innovation  upon  the  contract  by  which  they  had  entered  the 
office,  to  the  number  of  between  nineteen  and  twenty  ( with  hut  one 
solitary  exception),  left  his  employ.  By  this  scheme  General  Grecm 
met  heavy  loss;  for  before  an  understanding  took  place  the  most  valua- 
ble portion  of  them  had  engagements  elsewhere. 

He  did  not  stop  here,  for  during  the  last  winter  even  the  females 
in  his  office  felt  the  weight  of  his  economizing  schemes. 

General  Green  states,  in  his  attempted  reply  to  the  protest  of  the 
Columbia  Typographical  Society,  that  no  person  who  has  ever  been  ia 
his  employ  has  lost  a  cent  by  him.  The  fact  is,  that  during  the  past 
winter,  he,  so  far  from  paying  the  females  in  his  establishment,  has 
reduced  their  wages  below  what  is  paid  in  every  other  office,  from  jo 
to  40  per  cent,  thus  extending  his  grinding  oppression  to  those  who 
have  no  protectors,   and   who  can   not  help   themselves. 

It  will  not  be  amiss  to  notice  here  the  circumstances  of  his  prc>- 
posals  to  several  charitable  institutions  to  obtain  female  labor  for  his 
office,  as  a  substitute  for  that  of  men;  and  all  under  the  ostensible  ab- 
ject of   performing   a   benevolent   act;    in   this  also   he   was   disapiuiinled. 

The  establishment  of  tlie  manual-labor  school  is  but  a  concenlrs- 
tion  of  his  various  schemes  to  lower  the  prices  of  labor  in  his  estab- 
lishment, and  to  add  to  his  already  enormous  profits  a  portion  of  the 
hard-earned  pittance  of  the  operative. 

The  amount  of  printing  given  to  General  Green  by  both  hou»e« 
of  Congress  and  the  several  departments  of  the  Government  since  his 
connection  with  the  press,  has  been  unparalleled  in  the  anii.-ils  ..f  tin* 
country;  and  we  venture  nothing  in  saying,  although  the  exact  amount 
can  not  be  ascertained,  that  his  actual  profits  therefrom  docs  not  (all 
short  of  $300,000;  and  that  notwithstanding  his  reiterated  declarations 
that  he  pavs  too  much  for  labor,  and  that  the  wages  paid  to  journey- 
men are  too  high,  no  printer  in  this  or  any  other  country  has  ever 
realized  the  same  profits  in  the  same  period  of  time  from  the  same 
number  of  hands.  .  .  •         u     • 

Had  we  been  satisfied  that  his  motive  in  establishing  this  school 
was  either  patriotic  or  philanthropic,  not  one  opixising  word  woulil 
have  escaped  our  lips.  But  we  can  not  shut  our  eyes  to  the  fact  that 
this  institution  calls  for  no  personal  or  pecuniary  sacrifice.  lie  pro- 
poses to  sustain  it  by  the  labors  of  the  students,  wilh..ut  e»pending 
one  cent  of  the  profits  of  the  works  to  be  executed  by  them.  This  (act 
must  shaw  that  benevolence  has  no  share  in  the  plan  designed.  »»<>«■'« 
or  when  did  pure  philanthropv  barter  its  sympathies  for  golil'  l>i«l  ■ 
real  benefactor  of  mankind  ever  distribute  charity  with  one  hand,  and 
grasp  at  gain  with  the  other?  .  ,  .,.     .     

IVom  what  has  been  above  stated,  we  leave  it  to  the  public  lo  mt. 
whether    it    be    not    plain    that    monopoly    of    some   kind    is    in    view,    to 
drive   competition    out   of   the   market,    and   by   this    inr.m>    !■•   r,  >       t  ic 
ruin    of   the   workman.      -And   we   ask    whether   it   hr 
feelings    of    human    nature,    calmly    to    survey    the 
ourselves   and   our   families,   or   to  sit  contented   ut- 
destroyer   of   all   our   comforts   and    happiness?      II' 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


believe,  that  by  ruining  the  present  generation,  he  will  benefit  the  next; 
or  that  he  who  educates  the  son  and  starves  the  father,  is  a  true  bene- 
factor. Should  this  plan  of  General  Green  prove  successful  (which 
we  believe  will  not  be  the  case),  where  would  be  found  the  individual 
capital  sufficient  to  sustain  itself  against  such  fearful  odds?  The  same 
system  must  be  adopted  by  others,  and  the  productive  classes,  already 
sufficiently  numerous,  would  become  too  abundant  to  insure  public 
•  safety.  Casuistry  may  discredit  our  reasoning,  and  sophistry  may  be 
used  to  our  disadvantage;  but  we  appeal  to  the  plain  understanding  of 
every  honest  man,  and  request  an  attentive  and  unbiased  perusal  of 
the  prospectus  itself. 

Let  us  examine  his  plan  as  we  may,  in  every  line  we  see  some- 
thing militating  against  the  interests  of  our  country.  What  must  be 
the  surprise  of  the  freemen  of  America,  to  be  told  of  this  man,  and  at 
this  late  day,  that  we,  the  "people,"  are  incapable  of  self-government; 
and  that  our  press,  which  has  so  long  sustained  our  liberties,  is  radi- 
cally diseased?  Is  General  Green  the  man  to  correct  this  radical  de- 
fect?— he  who  tells  the  public  that  his  connection  with  the  press  com- 
menced so  recently,  and  who,  till  1S23,  had,  perhaps,  never  been  within 
the  walls  of  a  printing  office;  and  who,  to  this  day,  has  but  a  vague  and 
theoretical  idea  of  the  bvisiness?  Does  he  pretend  to  say  that  he  has 
been  favored  with  some  divine  inspiration — some  talismanic  power? 
That  he,  a  stranger  to  the  profession,  has  discovered  the  ignorance  of 
the  men  who  conduct  it,  and  can  apply  the  remedy?  Why  the  very 
means  which  he  proposed  to  use,  show  how  little  knowledge  he  has  of 
its  operation.  For  instance,  he  has  enumerated  various  comprehensive 
works  for  publication,  and  would  induce  belief  that  those  who  take 
a  share  in  their  composition  must  thereby  have  a  knowledge  of  their 
contents.  Now  the  contrary  is  the  fact;  for  articles  of  any  length 
are  divided  into  various  parts,  and  each  compositor  is  furnished  with 
a  small  portion;  which,  instead  of  giving  him  any  information  on  the 
subject,  tends,  if  it  have  any  effect  at  all,  to  obscure  its  sense  and 
create  false  impressions.  But  General  Green  is  to  "elevate  the  morale 
of  the  press."  How?  By  establishing  a  system  of  ethics  for  its  gov- 
ernment— to  educate  boys  to  be  its  rulers  and  governors,  and  to  dictate 
to  printers  what  they  shall  do!  Thus  hoodwinked,  we  are  to  submit 
to  students  of  this  institution,  and  to  receive  lessons  in  politics  and 
morals  from  the  regenerated  press!  Strip  the  language  of  the  pros- 
pectus of  its  ambiguity,  and  the  above  is  the  interpretation  of  it. 

We  seriously  believe  that  some  political  movement  is  at  the 
foundation  of  this  embryo  school.  Look  at  the  facilities  which  the  plan 
would  throw  into  the  hands  of  a  political  partisan,  to  enable  him  to 
have  overwhelming  influence  on  elections.  Suppose,  for  example,  he 
wished  to  control  the  elections  of  any  particular  state,  he  might  estab- 
lish as  many  presses  in  that  state  as  he  chose,  at  a  very  trifling  expense, 
because  the  boys  labor  for  the  money  for  this  purpose,  and  are  by 
pecuniary  ties  bound  to  obey  his  orders,  or  be  thrown  destitute  upon 
the  world,  being  rendered  obnoxious  to  his  powerful  institution.  Still 
farther,  we  are  convinced  that  this  is  the  real  motive  of  this  institution, 
from  the  fact  that  large  numbers  of  his  prospectus  have  been  circu- 
lated in  the  South,  amongst  those  who  lean  to  the  same  political  prin- 
ciples that  General  Green  advocates,  while  the  vast  North  and  West 
have  not  even  heard  a  whisper  from  him  of  this  regenerating  press 
school. 

Next  to  liberty,  we  value  the  profession  we  have  adopted;  and  we 
shall  use  our  best  endeavors  to  maintain  it  in  its  purity  and  in  its  free- 
dom. Never,  we  hope,  will  it  be  under  the  control  of  any  one  man, 
however  great  or  wealthy  he  may  be.  The  march  of  mind  will  regulate 
the  emanations  of  the  press;  and  if  this  projector  has  the  welfare  of 
the  country  at  heart,  much  better  would  it  be  to  leave  it  where  he 
found  it, — in  the  hands  of  the  "schoolmaster,"  whose  exertions  only 
can  regulate  the  "morale"  of  the  press.  The  press  is  but  the  mirror 
of  the  mind;  it  no  more  than  reflects  the  image  which  is  placed  before 
it,  and  exhibits  it  for  the  puiblic  benefit.  General  Green  may  be  a 
profound   politician;    but,   as   a    political   economist,    he   betrays   his    igno- 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTKRS  ,-- 

ranee  in  his  plan  of  education.  The  plan  of  the  institute  has  »  tpe- 
cious  aspect.  It  promises  to  give  constant  employment  and  a  thu^-- 
oughly  classical  and  scientific  education  to  200  boys,  who  arc  to  defray 
the  expenses  of  their  board,  education,  and  clothmg,  and  even  medical 
attendance,  by  their  own  labor,  and  when  free,  to  have  placed  to  their 
credit  $728  each.  What  a  beautiful  picture  of  benevolence  is  drawn 
here:  But  how  is  the  fact?  The  boy  is  to  labor  mentally  and  physic- 
ally, for  thirteen  hours  each  day— three  hours  more  than  the  regular 
time  of  work.  He  is  to  earn,  out  of  journeymen's  rate  uf  u.-igc« 
$2  per  week,  after  paying  all  expenses,  which  $2  are  to  be  dep<isilcd  in 
a  fund  till  he  is  21  years  cf  age;  and  then  what  is  t>o  be  do»ic  vkith 
it?  Given  to  the  freed  student,  to  enable  him  to  commence  husinc«? 
No!  It  goes  to  the  coffers  of  the  principal  of  the  institution,  who 
realizes,  by  this  means,  in  seven  years,  $145,600!  There  is  a  provi- 
sion, indeed,  by  which  tliis  sum  may  probably  be  loaned  to  the  stu- 
dents, to  be  paid  back  in  small  annual  installments,  when  a  "rni.irnt 
investment"  may  offer.  Thus  the  General  is  the  judge  and  di' 
the  fund — he  may  lend  it  or  not — he  may  refuse  or  accept  -■ 
just  as  the  investment  may  suit  his  pleasure.  Does  it  look  lik- 
faction  to  withhold  from  the  boys  all  the  earnings  of  their  ;: 
Why  not  place  it,  bona  fide,  to  their  credit,  when  of  age,  ami  .ii;.* 
them  to  follow  the  bent  of  their  own  inclinations?  Hut  it  will  be 
seen  that  the  independence  of  the  pupil  is  not  his  object;  but,  on  the 
contrary,  to  secure  the  lasting  dependence  of  the  youth  u|><>n  hiiu. 
that  he  may  direct  his  labors  to  the  advancement  of  his  own  particular 
ends,   whether   political  or  mercenary. 

General    Green    labors    to    irnpress    on    the    public    mind,    that    the 
printer  must  be  ignorant,  from  being  brought  into  the  office  as  a  "devil" 
a  "mere  drudge" —  "an  errand  boy"— "to  do  the  menial  services  of  the 
establishment."       This    low    sarcasm    is    unworthy    of    a    serious    reply. 
But    we   would   tell    him,    that   the   day   has   gone   by   when   servitti.lc    .f 
this  kind  was  exacted   from   the   youngest  apprentice — and   tell   h 
tliat   no  corporal   punishment   is  put   in  practice  in  any  office — .1 
stance   which    he    must   have   known.      To    talk   of    substituting 
confinement"   for   flagellation   is  so  ridiculous  that  we  deem  it   v.:. 
of  serious  consideration. 

General    Green    has,    in   public   and   private,    asserted    that    the    preM 
of  this  country   was   a  disgrace,  owing  to  its  being  conducted  by  "igno- 
rant journeymen    printers;"   and   he  proposed  at   the  anniversary  «..f-;-T 
of   the   Typographical   Society,    in   January   last,   to   regenerate   it    ' 
institution    which    he   was   then  about  to  set   on    foot.      He   said, 
posing   this   institute,    that   his   object   was   not   to   realize    anyrl-.  •  . 
it;    that   his   highest  ambition   was  to  record   his  name  a- 
factor,   and  after  he  was  dead  to  be  placed   in  a  plam   <■ 
marble    slab    thus    inscribed:      "Here    lies    Duff    Green,    i 
of  the  American   Press,"  or,   in  other  words,  more  beauii: 
by  the  poet: 

"When  he  dies,  he'll  leave  a  lofty  name, 
A  light  and  landmark  on  the  cliffs  of  fame.' 

Those  present  felt  the  audacity  of  this  remark,  though  not  •  har»h 
word  was  used  while  they  considered  him  their  jruesi;  htit  ther  «"■* 
immediate  steps   to   repel   the   indignity   offered   to  them.   •..'•'•  •• 

rested   by   his   having  authorized   an    indiviilual   to   rcc.Tll 
to   state  that  he   was  ashamed   of  his  language,   and   th.it 
intention    to    have    offended    the    grntlcmcn    present.       I  li- 
accepted;    but    the    quiet    which    has    reigned    from    that    ti"  r 
boldened    him    to    come     forward    and     publish     his    prosijcctm     : 
world.  .  ,       r     , 

As  another  method  of  elevating  the     morale  of  ti  r  i  rr... 
"One   great   object   has   been   to   enlist    in    aid   of   t 
interests  of  societv.   and   to  connect   it   with   each, 
a  paper  deserving' their  continuous  support;"  an. I 
United    States    Telegraph    with    the    "interest    of    ; 


156 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


has  been  long  under  his  control,  and  we  leave  it  to  the  people  to  say, 
how  much  it  has  contributed  toward  redeeming  the  fallen  morality  of 
the  press. 

We  feel  it  our  duty  as  American  citizens,  having  the  interest  of 
our  country  at  heart,  to  warn  the  parent  and  guardian  of  youth  of  the 
error  which  they  are  likely  to  fall  into,  by  sacrificing  the  liberty  and 
happiness  of  their  charges,  and  being  led  away  or  infatuated  with 
General  Green's  project,  which,  if  it  could  be  successful,  would  tend 
to  lower  the  press  in  the  estimation  of  the  people,  by  inculcating  doc- 
trines which  are  calculated  to  destroy  the  vital  principles  of  our  free 
institutions. 

In  closing  our  address,  we  would  call  upon  the  printers  through- 
out the  United  States  to  examine  the  prospectus  for  themselves — to 
consider  the  motives  which  could  induce  any  man  to  engage  in  such  a 
schc-^ie  as  "regenerating  the  American  press,"  under  the  flimsy  pretext 
of  the  low  estimation  in  which  it  is  held  on  account  of  being  under 
the  cctrol  of  "ignorant  printers."  In  contradistinction  to  this,  we 
place  the  press  conducted  by  practical  printers  far  above  the  whole 
mass  of  those  ephemeral  papers  that  are  sustained  by  party.  We  call 
i:i)jn  you  as  printers,  as  freemen,  to  rally  round  the  shield  of  our 
liberties,  to  protect  it  in  its  republican  form,  its  purity,  and  its  privi- 
leges, end  to  frown  into  insignificance  the  man  who  is  base  enough  to 
use  it  for  the  degradation  of  his  fellow  beings.  _  The  Rubicon  is  passed, 
and  we  now  proceed  to  the  object  we  have  in  view — to  protect  our 
rights.  No  political  motive  urges  us  on;  we  merely  desire  to  maintain 
those  rights  of  equality  which  are  intrusted  to  our  care,  and  to  keep 
and  protect  them  unsullied.  To  you  we  look  for  an  approval,  and 
friendly  co-operation  in  our  exertions  in  resisting  the  encroachments 
of  power,  and  we  shall  never  flinch  from  the  duty  we  have  imposed 
upon  ourselves.  The  freedom  of  the  press  must  not  be  touched  by  un- 
hallowed hands.  We  corjure  you  by  all  that  is  dear,  not  to  suffer  our 
efforts  to  be  paralyzed  by  apathy: 

The  following  letter  was  received  from  the  Baltimore  Typographical 
Society: 

Baltimore,  Sept.   i,   1834. 
To  the   Printers  of  the  District  of  Columbia:  _ 

Gentlemen — The  proceedings  of  the  meeting  of  the  printers  of  the 
District  of  Columbia,  held  in  the  city  of  Washington  on  the  22A  ultimo, 
relative  to  the  infamous  project  of  Gen.  Duff  Green,  was  laid  before 
the  Baltimore  Typographical  Society  at  its  meeting  on  Saturday  last, 
and  they  came  to  the  conclusion  that  a  general  meeting  of  the_ printers 
of  this  city  should  be  held  for  the  purpose  of  taking  the  subject  into 
consideration  on  Saturday  evening  next.  \\'e  have  no  doubt,  from  the 
spirit  manifested  upon  the  reading  of  the  proceedings,  by  the  members 
of  the  Baltimore  Typographical  Society,  that  you  may  rest  assured  you 
will  receive  the  aid,  countenance  and  support  of  the  fraternity  in  this 
city,  in  your  just  and  laudable  effort  to  put  down  this  scheme  of  Duff 
Green's;  a  scheme  which,  if  suffered  to  be  brought  into  existence  and 
complete  operation,  will  do  more  to  injure  the  journeymen  and  employ 
ing  printers  of  the  United  States  than  any  that  has  been  thought  of 
since  the  davs  of  Faustus. 

We  only  wish,  gentlemen,  you  could  have  been  present  at  our 
meeting,  and  have  seen  the  spirit  that  was  manifested,  and  the  deter- 
mination, as  far  as  in  their  power,  and  is  compatible  with  the  laws  of 
our  country,  to  nullify  the  ungracious,  ambitious,  and  ungenerous  de- 
signs of  said  Duff  Green. 

Gentlemen,  wishing  you.  and  all  of  us,  success  in  the  cause  in 
which  we  are  mutually  engaged,  and  hoping  our  efforts  may  be  crowned 
with  success,   we  subscribe  ourselves.  Yours,   in   fellowship, 

JosiAH  Bailey, 
J.  N.  Millington, 
Thos.  R.  Geddes, 
Committee  of  Correspondence. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  ,^- 

On  motion  of  R.   H.   Pratt  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  journeymen  printers  be  tendered 
to  the  editors  of  the  t.lobc  and  American  Mechanic  for  publiihmK  ihcir 
proceedings,    and   to    the   editor   of   the   Alexandria   Gazette    for   his   able 

defense  of  those  proceedmgs. 

On  motion,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  chairman  and  secretaries  be  authorized  to  call 
a  meeting  of  the  printers  of  the  District  of  Columbia  when,  in  their 
opinion,  circumstances  require  it. 

On  motion,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  tlie  proceedings  of  this  meeting  be  sisned  by  the 
chairman  and  secretaries,  and  that  the  newspapers  in  this  District,  and 
throughout  the  United  States,  be  requested  to  publish  them. 

A.  F.  Cln.vixciiam, 
jNo.  Thos.  Towers,  Chairman. 

James  F.   IIaliday, 
Secretaries. 


APPENDIX  B.  NO.   1. 

Scale  of  Prices  Adopted  October  7,  1815.  by  the  New  York 
Typographical  Society. 

COMPOSITION. 

1.  All  works  in  the  English  language,  common  matter,  from  Eng- 
lish to  minion,  inclusive,  27  cents  per  1,000;  in  nonpareil.  29  ccnt»;  in 
pearl,  37J/2  cents;  in  diamond,  50  cents:  in  all  cases  headline*  and 
directions,  or  signatures  and  blank  lines  to  be  included.  .\n  odil  en 
in  width  or  length,  to  be  reckoned  an  em;  if  less  than  an  en.  not  to  be 
counted. 

2.  All  works  done  in  foreign  languages,  common  matter,  to  be 
paid  4  cents  extra  per   1,000  ems. 

3.  Works  printed  in  great  primer,  or  larger  type,  to  be  computed 
as  English.      Script.  30  cents  per   i.ooo. 

4.  All  workmen  employed  by  the  week  shall  receive  not  lew  than 
$9  in  book  offices  and  on  evening  papers,  and  on  morning  papers  not  lc»» 
than  $10.  »  i~      . 

5.  Works  done  in  the  English  language,  in  which  words  of  Greek. 
Hebrew,  Saxon,  etc.,  or  any  of  the  dead  characters  occur,  should  ihcy 
average  one  word  per  page,  it  shall  be  considered  sufficient  to  become 
a  charge,   which   shall  be  settled  between  the  employer  and  cmpli>ye<i. 

6.  Works  done  in  Hebrew  and  Greek,  without  puints.  »h«ll  be 
paid  15  cents  per  i.ooo  ems  higher  than  common  matter;  with  poinU,  to 
be  counted   half  body  and   half  points,  and  paid  double. 

7.  That  making-up  a  set  of  furniture  for  a  work  of  five  sheen  or 
under,  if  an  octavo,  be  paid  25  cents.  All  other  impositions  to  be  j 
cents  extra,  progressively,  in  proportion  to  the  size — a  single  lorni 
shall  constitute  a  set.  .  ...  .  _i.i. 

8.  Works  done  partly  in  figures  and  partly  plain,  soch  as  arith- 
metical works,  etc.,  to  be  paid  30  cents  per  1.000  cms.  Rule  an'J  figure 
work  to  be  paid  double.  .      .  ,  l-      1    u    ». 

9.  Broadsides,  such  as  leases,  deeds,  etc.,  done  on  Kngluh  or 
smaller  type,  to  be  paid  27  cents  per  i.ooo  ems.  Play  bilU.  fiMUnt 
bills,  etc.,  to  be  paid   for  at  the  rate  of  15  cents  per  hour. 

10.  Algebraical  works,  or  those  where  characters  ..f  mu«K  »"  •"« 
principal  part,  and  works  composed  principally  of  medical,  ailrooow- 
ical,  or  other  signs,  to  be  paid  double.  •        „,  - 

11.  Time    lost    by   alteration    from  copy    or  by  casing  or 
ing  letter,  to  be  paid  for  at  the  rate  of   15  cents  per  hour. 


158  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

12.  All  works  composed  from  manuscript  copy,  2  cents  extra. 

13.  Side,  bottom,  or  cut-in  notes,  to  be  agreed  on  between  the 
employer  and  employed. 

PRESSWORK. 

1.  Bookwork  done  on  brevier  or  larger  type,  on  medium  or 
smaller  paper,  33  cents  per  token;  on  smaller  type,  35  cents.  Royal 
paper,  on  brevier  or  larger  type,  35  cents  per  token;  on  smaller  type, 
371/2  cents  per  token.  Super-royal  paper,  on  brevier  or  larger  type, 
36  cents  per  token;   on  smaller  type,   39  cents  per  token. 

2.  A  token  of  paper,  if  on  bookwork,  to  consist  of  no  more  than 
loyi  quires;  and  if  on  a  daily  paper,  no  more  than  10.  For  covering 
tympans,    37^2   cents  each;   tympan  and  drawer  to  be  considered  as  two. 

3.  jobs,   folio,   quarto,   etc.,   to  be  paid  33   cents  per  token. 

4.  Cards,  if  100  or  under,  30  cents;  for  each  additional  pack,  if 
not  more  than  s,   125/2   cents;  if  over  5,    10  cents. 

5.  Broadsides,  on  bourgeois  or  larger  type,  45  c<nts;  on  smaller 
type,   50  cents  per  token. 

6.  Three  cents  extra  to  be  paid  on  forms  containing  wood  en- 
gravings. 

7.  No  journeyman  working  at  press  on  a  morning  daily  paper, 
shall  receive  a  less  sum  than  $10  for  his  weekly  services;  nor  those  on 
an  evening  paper  a  less  sum  than  $9.  .If  the  quantity  of  work  should 
exceed  8  tokens  per  day,  the  whole  to  be  charged,  if  on  a  morning 
paper,  at  the  rate  of  45  cents  per  token;  if  an  evening  paper,  40  cents 
per  token.  Daily  papers  not  exceeding  6  tokens  per  day,  if  a  morning 
paper,   $9  per  week;   if  an  evening  paper,  $8  per  week. 

8.  All  works  done  on  parchment  to  be  settled  between  the  em- 
ployer and  employed. 

9.  Working  down  a  new  press  to  be  settled  between  the  employer 
and  employed.  .  .         .      , 

10.  If  at  any  time  a  pressman  should  be  obliged  to  lift  his  form 
before  it  is  worked  off,  he  shall  be  allowed  33  cents   for  the  same. 

11.  A  pressman  shall  receive,  for  teaching  an  apprentice  press- 
work,  for  the  first  three  months,  s  cents  per  token,  and  for  the  three 
months  following,   3   cents  per  token. 

Peter   Force,  President. 
Thos.   Snowden,  Secretary. 

APPENDIX  B,  NO,  2. 

List  of  Prices  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  Adopted  November  4,  1815. 

COMPOSITORS. 

During  the  recess  of  Congress,  in  book  or  newspaper  offices,  to  re- 
ceive not  less  than  $q  per  week.  During  the  session,  in  offices  engaged 
on  Congressional  work,  or  in  newspaper  offices,  to  receive  not  less  than 
$10  per  week,  and  $2   for  each   and  every  Sunday. 

By  the  piece. — For  everv  1,000  ems,  from  brevier  to  pica,  28  cents; 
for  smaller  letter  than  brevier,  33]/}  cents;  on  newspapers,  not  less 
than  30  cents  per   1,000  ems;   above  pica,  to  be  charged  as  pica. 

Rule  or  figure  work. — All  common  rule  or  figure  work,  from  brevier 
and  upward,  not  less  than  45  cents  per  1,000  ems;  below  brevier,  50 
cents  per   1,000  cms. 

Rule  and  figure  work. — All  common  rule  and  figure  work,  from  bre- 
vier and  upward,  not  less  than  56 "4  cents  per  1,000  ems;  below  brevier, 
not  less  than  65  cents  per   1,000  cms;  above  pica,  to  be  charged  as   pica. 

For  all  foreign  languages,  printed  in  the  Roman  character,  an  addi- 
tion of  5  cents  per  1,000  ems. 

.Ml  words  in  Greek,  or  other  foreign  characters,  to  be  paid  for  at 
the  rate  of  60  cents  per   1,000  ems. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATION'S    OF    PRINTERS  159 

Side  notes  to  be  calculated  separate  from  the  text. 

An  addition  of  3  cents  on  each  1,000  ems  for  pronouncing  dic- 
tionaries. 

Alterations. — Compositors  to  receive,  for  alterations  from  copy,  at 
the  rate  of  25  cents  per  hour. 

PRESSMEN. 

During  the  recess  of  Congress,  shall  receive  not  less  than  $9  per 
■week;  by  the  piece,  in  newspaper  offices,  not  less  than  27}^  cents  per 
token,  for  royal  or  superroyal;  nor  less  than  45  cents  per  token  fur  im- 
perial. 

During  the  session,  in  offices  engaged  on  Congressional  work,  or  in 
newspaper  offices,  not  to  receive  less  than  $10  per  week,  and  $2  for  each 
and  every  Sunday. 

Paper. — Medium,  and  below  medium,  when  the  form  consists  of  bre- 
vier, or  larger  letter,  33'/}  cents  per  token;  below  brevier,  not  less  than 
35  cents  per  token;  royal  and  upward,  on  brevier  or  larger  letter,  not 
less  than  371/2  cents  per  token;  all  under  brevier,  not  less  than  50  cents 
per  token. 

Quarto,  on  medium  paper,  above  44  pica  ems  in  width,  to  be  paid 
as  royal;  octavo,  above  24  pica  ems,  to  be  paid  as  royal;  i2mo.  above 
21  pica  ems,  to  be  paid  as  royal;  i8mo.  above  17  pica  eras,  to  be  paid 
as  royal. 

Jobs  not  less  than  35  cents  per  token. 

Cards,  for  one  pack,  and  not  exceeding  two  packs,  35  cents;  when 
exceeding  two  packs,  to  be  paid  at  the  rate  of  15  cents  per  pack. 

Broadsides   shall    be    paid    for    double,    according   to   the   size   of   the 

All  work  on  parchment,  if  one  pull,  6'A  cents;  if  two  pulls,  12^4 
cents. 

For  taking  down  or  putting  up  a  press,  $3. 

For  working  down  a  new  press,  $6. 

For  lifting  a  form  before  completed,  33 ^^  cents. 

For  covering  a  tvmpan  and  drawer,  $1,  or  50  cents  for  either. 

When  an  alteration  in  a  form  takes  place,  each  pressman  shall  be 
paid  161/2  cents  per  hour. 

No  pressman  shall  teach  an  apprentice  prcsswork,  without  the  bene- 
fit of  his  work  for  13  weeks,  or  half  his  wages  for  6  months;  nor  »luM 
he  teach  an  apprentice  who  is  more  than  18  years  old,  and  who  is  bvund 
for  less  than  three  years. 

APPENDIX  B,  NO.  3. 

List    of    Prices    of    the    Baltimore    Typographical    Society, 

Adopted  June  2,  1832. 

COMPOSITION. 

I.  Works  done  in  the  Knglish  language,  common  matlfr.  fr-r  :va 
to  minion,  inclusive,   25  cents  per   i. 000  cms;   nonpareil.    ' 

31^    cents;    pearl,    33/3    cents;    diamond.    50  cents.       Ili'- 

the  blank   after,   and   the   foot   line,   in   all   cases  to   be  . 

than  three  lines;  an  odd  en  in  width  or  length,  to  be  cci 

less  than  an  en,  not  to  be  reckoned.  .  j  ..  :#  -i,«« 

II.  Works  printed  in  pica,  or  larger  type,  to  be  counted  a*  if  done 

'"  ^  m.    Works   printed   in    Latin    or.  Spanish,   3  /^""*  "";!„r^'   ^i"^ 
ems-   in   French,   5  cents  extra.     Dictionaries  in  the  above  Ungtia««  to 

"^  ^tv."  Wo%s'"in^whiyjr.reek,  Hebrew,  Saxon  or  o«her  for^eign  ch.r^ 
acters  may  occur,  when  they  amount  to  one  line  per   «, 000  em..  2  crow 

"'^^'^■^li-r^rrj  ^rnr^e^^^d°i;^r^.r'V;?^w  «,d  Kn«.uh.  .o 

be  charged  a  price  and  a  half. 


26o  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

VI.  English  dictionaries,  printed  with  figured  vowels  and  accents,  5 
cents  advance;  without  figured  vowels,  but  with  accents,  2  cents  ad- 
vance. Geographical,  biographical,  and  medical  dictionaries,  gazetteers, 
dictionaries  of  the  arts  and  sciences,  and  works  of  a  similar  character, 
are  not  included  in  this  article,  unless  they  be  attended  with  extra 
trouble,  beyond  the  usual  descriptive  matter. 

VII.  Arithmetical  works,  5  cents  advance  per  1,000  ems;  rule  work 
to  be  charged  a  price  and  a  half;  rule  and  figure  work,  double;  alge- 
braical works,  and  works  composed  principally  of  medical,  astronomical, 
or  other  signs,  to  be  charged  double  price. 

\'III.  Works  done  in  Hebrew,  without  points,  15  cents  advance  per 
1,000  ems;  with  points,  (to  be  counted  half  body  and  half  points)  double 
price. 

IX.  Works  done  in  Greek,  without  accents,  40  cents  per  1,000  ems; 
with  accents,  50  cents;  the  asper  and  lenis  not  to  be  considered  as  ac- 
cents. 

X.  Spelling  books,  and  works  of  that  description,  5  cents  in  ad- 
vance per   1,000  ems. 

XI.  Side  and  center  notes  in  Bibles  and  Testaments,  to  be  counted 
the  full  length  of  the  page  (including  the  lead  or  one  rule),  according 
to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set,  and  charged  5  cents  extra  per  1,000 
ems.  Cut-in  notes  in  the  above  works  to  be  cast  up  according  to  the 
type  in  which  they  are  set,  and  charged  a  price  and  a  half. 

XII.  Side  notes,  in  law  and  historical  works,  to  be  counted  the  full 
length  of  the  page,  and  charged  according  to  the  type  in  which  they 
are  set;  and  when  cut  into  the  text,  to  be  charged  4  cents  e.xtra  per 
1,000  ems. 

XIII.  Quotations,  mottoes,  contents  of  chapters,  and  bottom  notes, 
in  smaller  type  than  the  body,  to  be  paid  for  according  to  the  size  of 
type  in  which  they  are  set. 

XIV.  Works  where  the  measure  does  not  exceed  14  ems  in  width, 
to  be  paid  2  cents  in  advance  per  1,000  ems. 

XV.  Time  occupied  by  alterations  from  copy,  or  by  casing  or  dis- 
tributing letter  not  used  by  the  compositor,  to  be  paid  for  at  the  rate 
of  IS  cents  per  hour. 

XVI.  When  compositors,  in  book  and  job  offices,  shall  be  required 
to  work  after  regular  hours,  they  shall  be  allowed  20  cents  per  hour,  or 
5  cents  advance  per  1,000  ems. 

X\' II.  All  letter  cast  on  a  body  larger  than  the  face,  to  be  counted 
according  to  the  face  of  the  type;  and  all  letter  cast  on  a  smaller  body 
than  the  face  to  be  counted  according  to  the  body. 

X\'III.  For  all  matter  made  up  and  imposed  by  the  employer,  no 
more  than  2  cents  per  1,000  ems  shall  be  allowed.  The  compositor  in 
all  cases  to  furnish  the  head,  blank,  and  foot  line,  and  count  the  same. 

XIX.  Making  up  a  set  of  furniture,  to  be  charged  for  by  the  time 
occupied,  at  the  rate  of  15  cents  per  hour. 

XX.  Compositors  shall,  in  all  cases,  charge  for  every  blank  page_  at 
the  end  of  a  work  imposed — each  form  to  be  graduated  by  the  following 
rule:  In  octavo  forms,  if  less  than  2  pages,  to  be  charged  as  2;  for  3 
pages,  4  to  be  charged;  for  5,  6  or  7,  a  full  form,  etc. 

XXI.  Compositors  employed  by  the  week  shall  not  receive  less  than 
$8  per  week.  Ten  hours  shall  be  considered  a  day's  work  in  book  and 
job  offices. 

PRESSWORK. 

With  balls  or  rollers  before  the  press. 

Per  token. 

Medium  and  royal $030 

Super    royal 371^ 

Imperial     45 

Job    work isVs 

Broadsides    60 

Cards,  two  packs  and  under  to  be  considered  a  token,  all  over,  12^ 
cents  per  pack. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    I'RINTERS  lOi 

With  rollers  behind  the  press. 

Medium  and  royal j^  ^ , 

Super    royal .'.'!.'!.'!!!.'...."       jc 

Imperial    !'..'..'.'.!!.*.....        jj 

All  fine  works  to  receive  an  extra  price,  to  be  determined  by  the 
employer  and  pressman,  according  to  its  quality.  All  book  work  under 
four  tokens  to  be  charged  2  cents  extra  per  token. 

All  broadsides  to  be  45  cents  per  token. 

Job   work,  25  cents  per  token. 

Cards,  two  packs  and  under,  25  cents;  all  over  two  packs,  10  cent* 
per  pack. 

All  colors  to  be  charged  double. 

In  all  cases,  where  the  employer  finds  the  roller  boy,  4  cents  to  be 
deducted  on  book  or  job  work;  on  cards,  2  cents  per  pack. 

Machine  rollers. — Medium,  four  tokens  or  less.  30  cents  per  token; 
over  four  tokens,  27  cents.  Other  works  in  proportion.  I-ine  work, 
extra  price. 

Lifting  forms. — When  there  are  not  more  than  eight  tokens,  the 
pressman  shall  receive  the  price  of  one  token  extra  for  every  form  he 
shall  be  necessitated  to   lift. 

Standing. — After  a  form  shall  have  been  put  to  press,  the  pressman 
shall  receive  15  cents  for  the  first  half  hour,  and  20  cents  for  every  sub- 
sequent hour  that  he  is  delayed  by  corrections  or  alterations. 

Pressmen  working  by  the  piece,  required  to  count  the  pai)cr  from 
the  press,  to  be  paid  2  cents  extra  per  token. 

Pressmen  employed  by  the  week  to  receive  not  less  than  $8  per 
week.     Ten  hours  shall  be  considered  a  day  in  book  and  job  offices. 

When  pressmen,  in  book  and  job  offices,  shall  be  required  to  work 
after  regular  hours,  they  shall  be  allowed  20  cents  per  hour,  or  4  cent* 
extra  per  token. 

Pressmen  employed  on  morning  papers,  to  be  paid  not  less  than  $9; 
on  evening  papers,  not  less  than  $8  per  week. 

For  covering  tympan  or  drawer,  50  cents. 

APPENDIX  B.  NO.  4. 

Scale   of   Prices   of   the   Typographical   Association    of    New 
York,  Adopted  June  15.  1833. 

COMPOSITION. 

1.  Works  done  in  the  English  language,  common  matter  'fo«  Eng- 
lish to  nonpareil.  25  cents  pcr  ..000  cms;  =«^tc.  27  cent,  pearl,  ^o 
cents;  diamond,  37/2  cents.  '1  he  headline,  w^ith  )''=>"'',»•«"•  ?;'^^,,  * 
foot  line,  in  all  cases  to  be  counted  not  less  than  three  l.ncs^  U  hr  . 
measure  exceeds  even  ems  in  width,  and  is  less  than  »"  "l;  »c,o  „ur.d 
to  be  counted-  but  if  an  en,  or  over,  to  be  counted  an  cm.  Where  guattl 
hnes  are  required  to  pages!  they  shall  be  furn.shed  by  the  employe  m 
a  solid  shape,  or  shall  be  charged  by  the  composifr.  ,„..„,,d  m 

2.  Works  printed  in  great  primer,  or  larger  type,  to  be  counted  M 
if  done  in  English.  ,  .    1  t- «  .• 

3.  All  jobs  done  in  plain  scrmt  to  be  counted  as  Khk 
charged  at  30  cents  per  1,000  ems;  those  in  '•"•'''y'"-"-'''  "'/;'' 
script,    or    inclined    bodies,    to    be    counted    as    above    and   chatK 

*'^4!^' Works  printed  in  Latin  or  Spanish.  3  cent,  extra  p*r  '•»""  f '';;*• 
in  French.  5  cents  extra.  Dictionaries  in  tlic  above  lannuage.  to  be  »4 
vanced  in  proportion,  as  in  article  7.  ,     .  t.          • 

5.  Greek.  Hebrew.  Saxon,  etc..  or  any  of  the  otnrr 
in  common  use.  if  amounting  to  one  word,  and  rot  excc< 
per   1,000  ems,  to  be  charged  -•  cents  extra,     where  tin 


l62  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

of  a  different  size  from  the  body  of  the  matter,  and  are  to  be  justified 
in,  they  shall  be  charged  4  cents  extra.  All  exceeding  three  words  to 
be  charged  in  proportion. 

6.  All  works  done  in  Greek  and  Latin,  or  Greek  and  English,  to  be 
charged  a  price  and  a  half. 

7.  English  dictionaries,  printed  with  figured  vowels  and  accents,  5 
cents  advance;  without  figured  vowels,  but  with  accents,  2  cents  ad- 
vance. Concordances,  and  works  of  a  similar  description,  where  figures 
and  points  predominate,  or  any  work  where  capitals,  small  capitals,  ur 
italic,  are  profusely  used,  3  cents  advance.  Where  superior  letters  or 
references  are  used,  as  in  Bibles,  or  works  of  that  character,  i  cent 
extra  per  1,000  ems,  shall  be  charged.  Geographical,  biographical,  and 
medical  dictionaries,  gazetteers,  dictionaries  of  the  arts  and  sciences,  and 
works  of  a  similar  character,  are  not  included  in  this  article,  except 
they  are  attended  with  extra  trouble,  beyond  the  usual  descriptive  matter. 

8.  Arithmetical  works,  s  cents  extra  per  1,000  ems.  .  Rule  work,  part 
plain  and  part  figures,  and  figure  work  where  no  rules  are  used  and 
figures  are  required  to  be  placed  in  columns,  to  be  charged  a  price  and 
a  half;  rule  and  figure  work,  double.  Algebraical  works,  and  works  com- 
posed principally  of  medical,  astronomical,  or  other  signs,  to  be  charged 
double. 

9.  Works  done  in  Hebrew,  without  points,  15  cents  advance  per 
1,000  ems;  when  with  points,  the  body  and  the  points  to  be  cast  up 
each  according  to  its  size,   and  to  be  charged  double. 

10.  Works  done  in  Greek,  without  accents,  printed  copy,  page  for 
page,  371/2  cents;  other  reprints,  40  cents  per  1,000  ems;  with  accents, 
50  cents;  the  asper  and  lenis  not  to  be  considered  as  accents. 

11.  Church  music,  whether  analytical  or  solid,  to  be  charged  a  sin- 
gle price,  according  to  the  size  of  the  type  in  which  it  is  set.  Piano 
music  to  be  charged  a  price  and  a  half,  according  to  the  size,  except 
where  it   is  condensed,   when   it  shall  be  charged  double. 

12.  Works  done  from  manuscript  copy,  to  be  charged  2  cents  extra 
per  1,000  ems,  except  foreign  languages,  which  shall  be  5  cents;  printed 
copy,   with   frequent  interlineations,   to  be  considered  as  manuscript. 

13.  Spelling  books,  and  works  of  that  description,  5  cents  advance 
per    1,000   ems. 

14.  Side  and  center  notes  in  Bibles  and  Testaments  to  be  counted 
the  full  length  of  the  page  (including  the  lead,  or  one  rule,  which  shall 
count  at  least  one  em),  according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set,  and 
charged  5  cents  extra  per  1,000  ems.  Cut-in  notes,  in  the  above  works, 
to  be  charged  4  cents  extra  each  note,  and  the  whole  page  to  be  counted 
as  text. 

15.  Side  notes  in  law  and  historical  works,  to  be  counted  the  full 
length  of  the  page,  according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set;  and 
when  cut  into  the  text,  to  be  charged  4  cents  extra  each  note. 

16.  Quotations,  mottoes,  contents  of  chapters,  and  bottom  notes,  in 
smaller  type  than  the  body,  to  be  paid  for  according  to  the  size  of  the 
type  in  which  they  are  set. 

17.  Works  where  the  measure  does  not  exceed  16  ems  in  width,  to 
be  paid  2  cents  advance  per   1,000  ems. 

18.  Time  occupied  by  alterations  from  copy,  by  casing  or  distribut- 
ing letter,  not  used  by  the  compositor,  or  other  work  appointed  by  the 
employer,  to  be  paid  for  at  the  rate  of   15  cents  per  hour. 

19.  When  compositors  are  required  to  work  more  than  regular 
hours,  they  shall  be  allowed  20  cents  an  hour,  or  5  cents  advance  per 
1,000  ems. 

20.  All  letter  cast  on  a  body  larger  than  the  face  (as  bourgeois  on 
long  primer),  to  be  counted  according  to  the  face;  and  all  letter  cast  on 
a  body  smaller  than  the  face  (as  minion  on  nonpareil),  to  be  counted 
according  to  the  body. 

21.  In  all  cases  where  a  companionship  may  deem  it  necessary  that 
matter  should  be  made  up  by  one  person,  the  compositors  may  either  ap- 
point, from  among  themselves,  or  authorize  the  employer  to  appoint,  a 
person  to  perform  that  duty,  OD  terms  to  be  agreed  upon  between  them- 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  jg, 

selves  and  the  person  employed  to  make  up:  PrtK'ided,  howner,  1K\t 
no  more  than  2  cents  per  1,000  ems  shall  be  allowed  to  the  employer  for 
making  up,  imposing,  taking  the  necessary  proofs,  and  keeping  the 
schedule. 

22.  When  a  compositor  is  required  to  take  out  bad  letters,  and  re- 
place them,  in  consequence  of  faults  in  the  founder,  miscasts,  or  worn- 
out  fonts,  he  shall  be  paid  at  the  rate  of  15  cents  an  hour. 

23.  For  imposing  forms,  no  more  shall  be  allowed  than  3  cents  per 
page  for  quarto,  2  for  octavo,  i  Yi  for  duodecimo,  i  ^  for  sexadecimo, 
and  the  like  sum  for  all  forms  of  a  larger  number  of  pages— the  com- 
positor, in  all  cases,  to  lay  the  pages  in  regular  order,  or  to  be  respon- 
sible for  their  being  so  done. 

24.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  compositor  imposing,  to  take  two 
proofs  of  each  form.  All  proofs  taken  afterwards,  shall  be  paid  for  at 
the  rate  of  8  cents  each,  for  letterpress  forms,  and  for  stereotype  forms 
and  small  jobs,  2  cents  each.  When  an  extra  proof,  or  proofs,  are  re- 
quired by  the  carelessness  of  the  compositor,  they  shall  be  at  his  ex- 
pense. 

25.  Making  up  furniture  for  a  quarto  form,  18  cents;  an  octavo, 
25   cents;   and  3   cents  extra  for  all   other  impositions   progressively. 

26.  Compositors  employed  on  morning  newspapers  shall  receive 
not  less  than  $12  per  week;  on  evening  papers,  and  in  b<iok  and  job  of- 
fices, not  less  than  $9  per  week.  Ten  hours  shall  be  considered  a  d*jr  in 
book  and  job  offices. 

PRESSWORK. 

With  balls. — Medium,  30  cents  per  token;  royal,  33!^:  super  royal, 
37^;  medium,  and  a  half,  39;  imperial,  40  cents;  and  everything  above 
imperial,  45  cents.  Cards,  the  first  hundred,  30  cents;  for  all  over  one 
hundred,  10  cents  a  pack.  The  charge  with  hand  rollers  to  be  the  same 
as  with  balls.  ,  , 

With  rollers. — Medium,  when  there  shall  be  but  4  tokens  or  less  on 
a  form,  25  cents  per  token;  if  over  4  tokens,  23  cents.  Royal.  4  tokens 
or  less,  27  cents;  over  4  tokens,  26  cents.  Super  royal.  4  tokens  or  le**. 
30  cents;  over  4  tokens,  28  cents.  Medium,  and  a  half.  4  tokens  or  less, 
32  cents;  over  4  tokens,  30  cents.  Imperial.  4  tokens  or  less.  35  cents; 
over  4  tokens,  a  cents.  For  any  size  above  imperial,  the  charge  »hall 
be,  when  there  are  4  tokens  or  less,  40  cents;  over  4  tokens.  35  cents. 
All  broadsides,  40  cents  per  token.  Cards,  the  first  hundred,  jj  cents, 
all  over  one  hundred,  11;  cents  per  hundred.  All  fine  work  to  receive 
an  extra  price,  to  be  arranged  between  the  employer  and  journeyman. 
Work   done  after   regular  hours,   to   receive  an   advance   of   5  cents  per 

Roller  boys.— When  the  employer  shall  furnish  a  roller  boy.  there 
shall  be  18  per  cent,  deducted  from  the  wages  of  the  pressman  until  it 
amounts  to  $2  per  week,  when  the  deduction  shall  cease. 

Machine  rollers.— Medium.  4  tokens  or  less,  21  cents  P*"-  •"^'^• 
over   4   tokens,   20  cents.      Other  sizes   in   proportion.      Fine   work,   extra 

^""Lifting  forms.-When  there  arc  not  more  than  8  «?•'"'»•. '^'P','*;^ 
man  shall  receive  the  price  of  i  token  extra  for  every  form  he  shall  K 

"'"coveHng'!ympans.-Thesumof  ,yV,  cents  shall  «-»"—'/■;-•;-• 

ing  a  tympan;  and  the  like  sum  for  covering  a  drawer,  or  inner  «rni|van. 

For  putting   up  or   removing  presscs.-twenty  cents  per   hour    .hall 

*'^  ^s'tinding— After  a  form  shall  have  been  put  to  press,  the  pre»«man 
shall  receh?-, 5  cents  for  the  first  half  hour,  and  .0  cenU  for  ever,  sub- 
sequent  hour,  that  he  is  delayed  by  corrections  "'  »''"f '°«*-.„  „„,  y^ 
When  a  pressman  is  employed  by  the  week,  he  »h»"  '«*'*'  ""IJ?! 
than  $9  per  week;  ten  hours,  in  all  cases,  to  be  the  limit  of  a  «Uy  • 
work.     Overwork,  20  cents  an  hour. 


164 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


SCALE  OF  VARIATION  FOR  THE  SIZES  OF  FORMS. 


111 

Pica 
ems. 

9,000 
11,000 
13,500 
16,000 
18,000 

Pica 

Royal,  to  contain 

13,500 
16,000 
18,000 
22,000 

Any  form  exceeding  either  ofc  these,  by  250  cms,  to  be  charged  as 

the  next  highest. 

APPENDIX  B,  NO.  5. 

Bill  of  Prices  of  the  Nashville  (Tenn.)  Typographical  Society, 
Adopted  1837. 

COMPOSITION. 

Compositors  to  receive  per  week $11   00 

Bookwork,   MS.    copy,   per    1,000  ems 35 

Bookwork,    reprint SsVs 

Newspaper,    manuscript   and   reprint 32 

Pamphlets    (100  pages,   or   less,) 37J4 

Rule  or  figure  work,  to  be  counted  price  and  a  half. 
Rule  and  figure  work,  double  price. 

For  all  works  in   foreign  languages,  an  advance  of 125/3 

Dictionaries,  arithmetics  and  algebraical  works,  an  advance  of.  .  121/3 

Side  notes  to  be  calculated  separate  from  the  text,  an  advance  of         02 

All  measures  under   12  ems  pica,  an  advance  of 02 

Letters  cast  on  a  different  body  from  the  face,  to  be  counted  by 

the  body  one  way  and  the  face  the  other. 

Alterations   from  copy,  per  hour 25 

All  sizes  larger  than  pica,   and  not  exceeding  double  pica,  to  be 

counted  pica. 
Larger  than  double  pica  to  be  charged  by  the  time. 

All  type  smaller  than  nonpareil,  an  advance  of 02 

Dressing  furniture  tor  book  or  pamphlet  form 50 

Ten  hours  shall  be  considered  a  day's  work. 
All  extra  work  to  be  charged  per  hour. 

PRESSVVORK. 

Pressmen  to  receive  per  week $1 2  00 

Mammoth  or  elephant  (book  or  news),  per  token 40 

Imperial  and  super  royal 33J/S 

Royal   and  mediuin 25 

Jobs    37y2 

Cards,    first  pack 371/2 

Cards,  each   additional  pack  on  same  form 18^ 

Hat  tips,  same  as  cards. 

Jobs  on  silk  or  bank-note  paper 50 

Broadsides,  on  medium  paper,   or  smaller syVi 

Broadsides,    larger   than   medium 50 

Lifting  forms  before  finished,  to  be  charged  a  token. 

All  jobs  with  colored  ink,   per  hour 25 

Parchment,    each    pull 06 54 

Covering  tympan  and  drawer,  each 75 


i65 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    I'RINTKRS 

All  works  containing  woodcuts,  an  advance  of to 

Corrections    made    in   a    form,    after    being    put    to    press,   to   b« 

charged   per  hour j . 

Ten   hours  considered  a  day's  work. 

Ten  quires  to  be  considered  a  token  on  a  newspaper  form — io)4 

quires  on  a  book  form. 

APPENDIX  B,  NO.  6. 

List  of  Prices  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  Amended  and  Adopted  January,  1837. 

COMPOSITION. 

1.  Compositors,  during  the  recess  of  Congress,  in  book,  or  newspa- 
per offices,  to  receive  not  less  than  $io  per  week.  Ten  hours  to  consti- 
tute a  day's  work. 

2.  During  the  session  of  Congress,  in  offices  employed  on  the  cur- 
rent Congress  work,  and  in  all  offices  engaged  on  other  work  done  for, 
or  by  the  authority  of  that  body,  or  in  newspaper  offices,  to  receive  not 
less  than  $ii  per  week. 

3.  In  all  offices,  and  at  all  seasons  to  receive  not  less  than  %2  for 
each  and  every  Sunday,  (to  consist  of  eight  hours,)  and  for  extra  hours 
on  Sunday,  25  cents;  and  at  all  other  times,  .;o  cents  per  hour. 

PIECEWORK. 

1.  All  works  done  in  the  English  language,  common  matter,  from 
pica  to  minion,  31  cents  per  1,000  ems;  minion  and  nonpareil.  37  cents; 
agate,  39  cents;  pearl,  41  cents;  diamond,  50  cents.  The  headline,  with 
the  blank  after  it,  and  the  foot  line,  in  all  cases,  to  be  counted  as  three 
lines.  An  en,  in  length  or  width,  to  be  counted  an  em;  if  less  than  an 
en,  not  to  be  reckoned.     Above  pica  to  be  charged  as  pica. 

2.  Neivspapers. — Brevier  and  upward,  33 'j  cents  per  1,000  ems; 
minion  and  nonpareil,  37  cents;  agate,  39  cents;  pearl,  41  cents;  dia- 
mond, 50  cents. 

3.  Rule  or  figure  work. — All  rule  or  figure  work  a  price  and  a  half, 
according  to  the  type  in  which  it  is  set.  All  matter  in  which  two  or 
more  rules  are  inserted,  to  constitute  rule  work;  and  two  or  more  col- 
umns of  figures,   witiiout  rules,  to  constitute  figure  work. 

4.  Rule  and  figure  work. — All  rule  and  figure  work  to  be  paid 
double  the  price  of  common  matter.  One  column  of  TiKiirrN  an.!  nne 
rule  in  a  page  of  other  matter,  shall  constitute  rule  .r  V: 
Provided,    lioicever,   That   on    works,    the   pages  j.f   whi. 

made   up   of   two  or   more  columns,    (as   on    periodical    ;  • 

charge  beyond  that  of  common  matter  shall  be  made  f ■  : .  ".t 

of  the  rules  separating  the  columns. 

5.  All  heads  and  foot  lines  attached  to  rule  or  hRure  work,  or  rule 
and  figure  work,  to  be  reckoned  the  same  as  the  body  of  the  matter. 

6.  For  all  foreign  languages,  printed  in  the  Roman  diaracler»,  an 
addition  of  6  cents  per   i.ooo  cms.  ,       -  .  i^ 

7.  All  works  printed  in  Creek  or  other  foreign  cbaracier*.  to  De 
paid  for  at  the  rate  of  66  cents  per   1,000  ems. 

8.  Arithmetical  works  to  be  paid  an  adv.inee  of  6  ccntt  per  t.ooo 
ems  on  the  price  of  common  matter. 

9.  Algebraical   works  to  be  charged  double  price. 

10.  Spelling  books,  or  other  work  containing  more  than  two  coJumnt 
in  a  page,  to  be  paid  an  advance  of  one-half  on  the  price  of  common 
matter. 

11.  Music,  double  price.  ,  ..    .         .       #   .l. ^     ,^a 

12.  Side  notes  to  be  counted  the  full  lenglh  of  the  page.  an<i 
charged  according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set. 

13.  Cut-in  notes  to  be  cast  up  according  to  the  type  m  which  Iher 
are  set,  and  charged  10  cents  extra  per  1,000  cms;  and  the  whole  page 
to  be  counted  as  te.xt. 


i66 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


14.  All  bottom  notes,  contents  of  chapters,  etc.,  in  smaller  type 
than  the  text,  to  be  paid  for  according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set. 

15.  All  letter  cast  upon  a  larger  body  than  the  face,  as  bourgeois 
on  long  primer,  to  be  counted  according  to  its  face;  and  all  letter  cast 
upon  a  smaller  body  than  the  face,  as  minion  on  nonpareil,  to  be  counted 
according  to  the  body. 

16.  All  works  where  the  measure  does  not  exceed  14  ems  in  width, 
to  be  3  cents  per   1,000  ems  advance. 

17.  For  making  up  a  set  of  furniture,  not  exceeding  16  pages,  31 
cents;   when  exceeding,  55  cents. 

Alterations. — Compositors  to  receive  for  alterations  from  copy,  at 
the  rate  of  25  cents  per  hour. 

PRESSWORK. 

1.  Pressmen,  during  the  recess  of  Congress,  shall  receive  not  less 
than  $10  per  week — ten  hours  to  constitute  a  day's  work. 

2.  During  the  session  of  Congress,  in  offices  employed  on  the  cur- 
rent Congress  work,  and  in  all  offices  engaged  on  other  work  done  for, 
or  by  the  authority  of  that  body,  or  in  newspaper  offices,  to  receive  not 
less  than  $11   per  week. 

3.  In  all  offices,  and  at  all  seasons,  to  receive  not  less  than  $2  for 
each  and  every  Sunday,  (to  consist  of  eight  hours,)  and  for  extra  hours 
on  Sundays,  25  cents,  and  at  all  other  times,  20  cents  per  hour. 

PIECEWORK 


Kind  of  work— per  token. 

pii 

1.  Paper— Medium  and  below   medium,  when  the  form  consists  of 

so  37 

.'39 
.41 

.43 
.45 
.47 
.46 
.48 
.50 
.52 
.50 
.41 
.60 

$0.27 

.29 

.31 

.33 

.35 

.37 

.36 

Medium  and  a  half  below  brevier                                             

.38 

.40 

.42 

.40 

.31 

.50 

a  Pressman  to  find  his  own  roller  boy 
2.    SCALE  OF  VARIATION  FOR  THE  SIZE  OF  FORMS 


Octavo  or 
smaller. 

Quarto  or 
larger. 

Pica  ems. 

9,000 
11,000 
13,500 
16.0(10 
18,000 

Pica  ems. 

11,000 
13,5(X) 
16,0(X) 
18,000 

Royal,  to  contain 

Medium  and  half,  to  contain 

EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTF.RS  ,o- 

Any  form  exceeding  either  of  these  by  250  ems  to  be  charged  aa 
the  next  highest. 

SCAL1-:  FOR  JOBS. 

n/r   J-  Inches. 

Medium  to   measure 18  by  ^j 

Royal  to  measure 19  by  J4 

Super  royal  to  measure jo  by  j? 

Imperial   to   measure ji  by  ji 

3.  All  bookwork  less  than  4  tokens  to  be  charged  2  cents  extra  per 
token. 

4.  Jobs,  39  cents  per  token,  when  worked  on  medium,  or  paper  be- 
low medium ;  when  on  royal  or  upward,  on  brevier  or  larger  letter,  not 
less  than  43  cents;  below  brevier,  45  cents;  when  on  imperial,  50  cents 
per  token. 

5.  Work  done  in  colors,  double  price. 

6.  Cards,  for  i  pack,  and  not  exceeding  2  packs,  39  cents;  when  ex- 
ceeding 2  packs,  to  be  paid  at  the  rate  of  16  cents  per  pack. 

7.  Broadsides  shall  be  paid  for  double,  according  to  the  size  of  the 
paper.  To  constitute  a  broadside,  the  matter  to  extend  across  the  sheet 
without  a  break.  A  foolscap  sheet,  and  all  above,  to  be  considered  a 
broadside. 

8.  All  work  on  parchments,  when  not  done  by  the  piece,  to  be 
paid  $2.20  per  day,  and  no  charge  to  be  made  for  less  than  half  a  day; 
when  done  by  the  piece,  if  i   pull,  7  cents;  if  2  pulls,   14  cents. 

9.  All  matter  that  is  required  to  be  made  up  and  imposed  in  pages, 
to  be  considered  bookwork. 

10.  Tokens. — On  newspaper  work,  not  over  10  quires,  or  340 
sheets;  and  on  other  work,  not  more  than  250  sheets;  or  loj^i  quires  to 
constitute  a  token. 

11.  For  taking  down  or  putting  up  a  press.  20  cents  per  hour. 

12.  For  working  down  a  new  Ramage  press,  $6. 

13.  For  lifting   a   form  before  completed,   37  cents. 

14.  For    covering    a    tynipan    and    drawer,    $1.10,    or    55    cents    for 

15.  When  an  alteration  in  a  form  takes  place,  each  pressman  shall 
be  paid  at  tlie  rate  of  18  cents  per  hour  for  the  time  occupied,  or  i$ 
cents  per  hour  if  but  one  pressman,  with  roller  boy. 

16.  No  pressman  shall  teach  an  apprentice  presswork,  without  the 
benefit  of  his  work  for  fifteen  weeks,  or  half  his  wages  for  six  months: 
nor  shall  he  teach  an  apprentice  who  is  more  than  18  years  old.  and 
who  is  bound  for  less  than   four  years.  •        i-         * 

No  alteration  or  amendment  shall  be  made  to  the  foregoing  list  of 
prices,  unless  two-thirds  of  the  members  present  concur  therein;  nor 
then,  without  one  month's  previous  notice  having  been  given. 

REGUL.\TIONS   RESPECTING  APPRENTICES. 

1  Every  apprentice  shall  serve  until  he  be  21  years  of  age;  ind,  »i 
the  time  of  entering  as  an  apprentice,  shall  not  be  more  '"jn  'ft  year* 
of  age;  and  every  boy  taken  as  an  apprentice  shall  be  bound  to  his  rtn. 
ployer  in  due  form  of  law.  .      ,   • „«;..  ;„  ,h,   f>  , 

2  No  runaway  apprentice  to  be  received  into  any  offue  in  tnc 
trict  of  Columbia,  either  as  an   apprentice  or  journcym.vi. 

-..    That  on  the  death  of  his  master,  or  if.  from  any  C3ii«-.  v.r 
wherein  he  was  indented  shall.be  discontinued,  he  may  be  t.ikrn 
other  office,  and  be  regularly  mdented  to  finish  the  term  of  h.x 

*'"'!'''■  After  the  ist  day  of  January.   1844.  the  Columhia  Trtv  . 
Societv  will  not  consider  any  application   for  mcml.T.i,,.,  ,..,,. 
hv  sufficient  proof  that  the  applicant  has  servefl  li- 
as a  regularly  indented  apprentice  at  the  printinv: 

S.    That    after    the    ist    day   of   January,    i8.<.,. 
graphical    Society   will    not    permit    members   of    san    n- 


l58  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

any  office  where  boys  may  be  taken  as  apprentices  to  the  printing  busi- 
ness to  serve  for  a  less  period  than  five  years. 

6.  The  Columbia  Typographical  Society  recognizes  but  two  classes 
of  printers — employers  and  journeymen:  that  is,  persons  who  carry  on 
business  solely  as  employers,  and  those  who  work  as  journeymen  in  the 
manner  prescribed,  and  at  the  prices  demanded  by  this  society. 

APPENDIX  B,  NO.  7. 

Scale  of  Prices  of  the  New  Orleans  Typographical  Society, 
Adopted  September  14,  1839. 

COMPOSITION. 

Compositors  employed  on  morning  newspapers  to  work  by  the  piece 
only,  at  the  following  rates:  Plain  matter,  in  the  English,  French,  or 
Spanish  language,  62  >^  cents  per  1,000  ems,  for  manuscript  or  printed 
copy;  pearl,  75  cents  per  1,000  ems;  ruby,  81 54  cents  per  1,000  ems; 
diamond,  $1  per  1,000  ems;  rule  and  figure  work,  $1.25  per  1,000  ems; 
rule  or  figure  work  separately,  93  ?4  cents  per  1,000  ems.  A  foreman 
not  to  receive  less  than  $25   per  week. 

On  evening  papers,  and  in  book  and  job  oflfices,  compositors  not  to 
receive  less  than  $19  per  week,  ten  hours  constituting  a  day's  work;  and 
all  extra  hours  to  be  charged  at  the  rate  of  40  cents  per  hour.  Work 
done  by  the  piece  to  be  charged  the  same  as  morning  papers.  Foremen 
on  evening  papers  not  to  receive  less  than  $22.50  per  week.  Where  two 
foremen  are  employed  on  one  paper  in  two  languages,  the  foreman  on 
the  English  side  not  to  receive  less  than  $20  per  week. 

On  bookwork,  the  running  title,  white  line  under  it,  and  the  foot 
line  of  the  page,  to  be  considered  as  regular  matter. 

An  odd  en  in  width  or  depth  to  be  counted  an  em;  but  if  less  than 
an  «n,  it  is  not  to  be  reckoned. 

Bookwork  and  jobs  done  by  the  piece,  with  pica  or  larger  letter,  to 
be  charged  as  pica. 

Bookwork  and  jobs  done  by  the  piece,  in  which  Hebrew,  Greek,  or 
other  foreign  characters  occur,  to  be  charged  when  they  amount  to  one 
line,  16  cents  extra  per  1,000  ems. 

Bookwork  done  by  the  piece  in  the  dead  languages,  to  be  charged 
at  the  rate  of  $1.25  per  1,000  ems;  but  work  done  in  the  dead  and 
modern  languages,  (an  equal  proportion  of  each,)  to  be  charged  at  the 
rate  of  93  4-5  cents  per   1,000  ems. 

Bookwork  with  side  notes,  to  be  charged  as  follows:  The  text  and 
side  notes  to  be  charged  separately,  and  the  notes  to  be  charged  accord- 
ing to  the  letter  in  which  they  are  set,  and  calculated  the  full  length  of 
the  page;  when  they  are  cut  in  the  text,   16  cents  extra  to  be  charged. 

Music,  $1.25  per   1,000  ems. 

Letter  cast  on  a  body  smaller  than  the  face  to  be  charged  accord- 
ing to  the  body;  and  letter  cast  on  a  body  larger  than  the  face  to  be 
charged  according  to  the  face. 

Compositors  making  up  a  set  of  furniture,  to  charge  at  the  rate  of 
40  cents  per  hour. 

Compositors,  in  all  cases,  to  charge  the  blank  pages  which  may  oc- 
cur in   a  work. 

For  alterations  from  copy,  if  a  single  one,  25  cents;  per  hour,  40 
cents. 

PRESSWOKK. 

[With  balls  or  rollers.] 

Bookwork    done    on    medium,    royal    or    super   royal    paper    to    be 

charged   per   token $1   00 

Imperial i   25 

Broadside,   posting  bills,   super   royal   or  imperial i    50 

Broadside,   posting  bills,   under   super   royal i   00 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    Ol-     TKINTtlRS  i^ 

Cards: 

Plain,  two  packs  or  under y j 

Glazed    i   jj 

For  each  succeeding  pack,  if  plain J5 

For  each  succeeding  pack,  if  glazed jjyj 

Work  done  on  parchment,  each  impression u^ 

Standing  after  a  form  shall  have  been  put  to  press,  per  hour....  40 

Covering  tympan  and  drawer,  each 1   00 

Putting  up  a  press •.  5  00 

Taking  down  a  press j  50 

Pressmen  working  on  morning  and  evening  papers,  or  other  peri- 
odicals, by  the  piece,  to  charge   for  medium,  or  super  royal, 

per    token 75 

Imperial   or   larger I  00 

For  all  extra  fine  work  an  additional  price  to  be  charged,  to  be 
agreed  on  between  the  employer  and  employed. 

All  work  done  in  colors,  to  be  charged  according  to  the  time  em- 
ployed thereon. 

Lifting  a  form  before  the  whole  impression  is  worked  off,  to  be 
charged  as  one  token. 

When  a  roller  boy  is  furnished  by  the  employer,  no  more  than  as 
per  cent  shall  be  deducted. 

When  a  pressman  may  be  employed  by  the  week  in  a  book  or  job 
office,  or  on  an  evening  paper,  he  shall  not  charge  less  than  $to  •>er 
week,  ten  hours  constituting  a  day;  and  all  work  done  after  the  regular 
hours,  40  cents  per  hour. 

On  morning  papers,  pressmen  working  by  the  week,  not  to  receive 
less  than  $22. 

Tames   Pirnie,    President. 
William   Pickett.   Vice-President. 
Tames   O'Dowd,   Secretary. 
RoBKRT    McCoLLL,   Treasurer. 
A.   II.   Haves. 
H.  L.  Kelsev, 
E.   H.   Kelly, 
P.  Lynch, 

!ames  Dyer, 
AMES  Taylor, 

Directors. 


1' 


APPENDIX  B,  NO,  8. 

Scale  of  Prices  of  the  Pittsburg  Typogrraphical  Association. 
Adopted  November  21,  1849. 

Pittsburg  Typographical  Association,  organired  in  1R40  issued  ■  bill 
of  prices  together  with  apprenticeship  recommendations,  November  Ji. 
1849,  as  follows: 

REPORT  ON  BILL  OF  PRICES. 
To  the  OfTicers  and  Members  of  the  Pittsburg  Typographical  Atsociatic*: 

Your  committee  appointed  to  fix  a  bill  of  prices,  respectfully  offer 
the  following  for  the  consideration  of  the  association: 

COMPOSITION. 

1.  Composition, 

2.  Any  size  small 

a^cas^lo'be  counted   three  Imes:   -er  an  en   m   rn,y. 
or  width,  to  be  counted  an  em;  if  less,  not  to  be  reckonco.) 


manuscript  and  reprint,  per   t,ooo  etn». !«  »J 

iller  than    nonpareil... j.i.    'r^V  i.nV'in 

ine,  with  the  blank  after,  and  the  foot  I'ne.  in 
.-J   -I tinoc-   nvrr  an  en   in   lenfTn 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


3.  Work  done  in  foreign  languages,  in  Roman  characters,  extra. 

per    1 ,000  ems 10 

4.  Work  done  in  foreign  languages,  and  not  in  Roman  charac- 

ters, except  the  German,  which  shall  be  the  same  as  Eng- 
lish,   per    1 ,000   ems 50 

5.  Algebraical   work,   and   works   having  a   great  number  of   as- 

tronomical,  medical,    and   other   signs 50 

6.  Spelling  books  and  similar  works,  advance  per    1,000 05 

7.  Arithmetical    work,    advance 05 

8.  English  dictionaries  with  figured  vowels  and  accents,  advance        10 

9.  English   dictionaries   without   figured   vowels,   advance 05 

10.  Side  and  center  notes  in  Bibles,  Testaments,  and  other  works, 

to  be  counted  the  full  length  of  the  page  (including  the 
lead  or  rule),  according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set, 
and  an  advance  per   1,000  of 03 

11.  Cut-in   notes   to   be   cast   up   according  to   the  type  in   which 

they  are  set,  and  charged  an  advance  of 0$ 

12.  Quotations,  notes,  mottoes,  etc.,  in  smaller  type,  to  be  count- 

ed according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set. 

13.  Works  where  the  measure  does  not  exceed    14  cms,  advance 

per    1 ,000  of 03 

14.  All  letter  cast  on  a  body  larger  than  the   face  to  be  counted 

according  to  the  face;  and  all  letter  cast  on  a  smaller  body 
than  the  face,  to  be  counted  according  to  the  body. 

15.  Composition  on  music  to  be  done  as  agreed  upon  by  the  em- 

ployer and  journeyman. 

16.  Rule  and  figure   work,  per   1,000 50 

17.  Rule  or  figure  work,  per   1,000 37J4 

18.  Letter   list,    or   names    set   two    or    three    newspaper   column, 

per    1,000 37  J4 

19.  Time   lost   in    alterations   from   copy,    extra   casing   of   letter, 

or  anything  not  coming  legitimately  under  the  preceding 
articles,  to  be  charged  by  the  hour 20 

20.  Journeymen  working  by  the  week   (ten  hours  a  day's  work), 

to  receive  not  less  than 8  00 

21.  Journeymen   working  on   morning   papers,  per  week  not   less 

than    ; 9  00 

22.  Foremen  shall  not  receive  less  per  week  than 10  00 

JOB  WORK. 

Forms  to  be  distributed  by  the  journeyman. 

Common  medium   sheet  bills $1  00 

Common  medium  sheet  bills   (with  border) 1  25 

Common   medium    half-sheet   bills 50 

Common  medium  half-sheet  bills   (with  borders) 75 

(Tommon   medium   quarto   bills 37J4 

Programmes    (eight  to   a   sheet) 50 

Posters  for  theater,  circus,  etc 50 

Bills    of    lading 50 

Circulars   for  balls,  etc.,    (script) 25 

Business  cards   or  exhibition   tickets _. 25 

Plain  composition  in  script  to  be  counted  as  pica. 

All  job   work  not  above  enumerated,  or  any  the  before  mentioned 
with  an  extra  quantity  of  matter,  to  be  agreed  upon  by  the  parties. 

PRESSWORK. 

Office  to  find  tlie  roller  boy. 

Medium,  or  under,  per  token $0  30 

Imperial,    per   token 25 

Double   medium,   per   token 28 

Music,    per    token 23 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OI-     TRINTMRS  j-j 

Steamboat  bills,  per  token   (black) j. 

Steamboat  bills,   per  token   (colored) ',,,  t* 

Alterations   on    steamboat   bills '.'.'.'.'.  lo 

Bills    of    lading,    circulars,    invitations,    billheads,   checks,    draft's, 

etc.,    per    token jj 

Colored   work,    per   token jo 

Cap  or  quarto  post,  per  token J5 

Cards,    first    pack uyj 

Cards,  every  additional  pack ©6^4 

Posters,   1 00  or  less jj 

Posters,  each  additional   loo  or  less u^ 

Books  of  not  more  than  one  token  an  advance  of 05 

All  work  done  on  parchment,  each  pull 04 

Covering    tympan 50 

Covering   drawer 50 

Making    roller J5 

Lifting  forms  before  their  completion,  an  extra  token  to  be  charged; 
provided,  the  full  complement  does  not  exceed  8  tokens. 
Extra  charges  on   engravings. 

Pressmen  employed  by  the  week,  ten  hours  to  constitute  a  dajr't 
work.  $9  per  week;  power  pressmen.  $10. 

Your  committee,  without  wishing  to  be  considered  as  dictating  to 
employers,  would  earnestly  recommend  that  hereafter  no  apprentice 
shall  be  taken  for  a  less  period  than  three  years,  and  that  regular  and 
formal  indentures  be  made  between  the  parties,  that  justice  may  be  done 
both.  Respectfully, 

G.  T.   Myess. 
JosEPjr    Martih. 
1).    P.    Work. 
Alex.   W.    Rook. 
W.    H.    Cappe. 

B.     SlNC.EBLV. 

J.   REisiNcn. 

Pittsburg,  November  21,   1S49. 


APPENDIX  B,  NO.  9. 

Scale  of  Prices  of  the  Journeymen  Printers'  Union  of  Phila- 
delphia, Unanimously  Adopted  Augrust  10,  1850. 

MORNING  NEWSPAPERS. 

I.  Composition  in  agate,  and  in  all  larger  type,  of  regular  body  and 
face,  30  cents  per  1,000  ems.  ,  1       u  -i_   .-- 1 

2:  Composition  in  type  smaller  than  agate,  of  regular  body  and 
face,  35  cents  per  1,000  ems.  i..._j  -, 

3.    Letter  cast   on    a  body  larger  than   the  fac«;.   to  be  char^d^^^ 

con 


^  to  the  face;   and  letter  cast  on  a  body  smaller  than  the  face  lo 

be  counted  according  to  the  body. 

4.  Rule  and  figure  work,  double  price.  -„i,.-,n« 

5.  Composition  requiring  three  justifications,  such  as  ••'^^f?  f«'"""* 
of  figures,   lists  of  letters,  as   at  present  published,  etc..  a  prnre  and  a 

'"^'^'6.    Work  by  the   hour,   and   all   waiting  after  8   o'clock,   p.   m.   (or 
mails,  or  for  any  other  purpose,  25  cents  per  hour 

7.  On  each  occasion   where  a  hand  shall  be  called  to  go  lo  wotb. 
after  being  through   the  regular  work.  $1   shall  be  clLVk-ri  rxuA.      ^    ^ 

8.  Every   hand   employed    upon    a   morning   nrv 
titled    to    24   consecutive    hours'    intcrmissmn    from 
and  if  called  upon  to  work  during  such  intcrmissi.  • 
extra,   whether  the  said  intermission  occurs  on 
day  of  the  week. 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


9.  Work  by  the  week,  $12  per  week,  10  hours  constituting  a  day's 
work. 

WEEKLY  AND  AFTERNOON  NEWSPAPERS. 

1.  Composition,  28  cents  per  1,000  ems. 

2.  Hour  work,  20  cents  per  hour. 

3.  Ten  dollars  per  week,   10  hours  constituting  a  day's  work. 

BOOK  AND  JOB  WORK. 

1.  Work  in  the  English  language,  printed  copy,  from  pica  to  non- 
pareil, inclusive,  2y  cents  per  1,000  ems;  from  agate  to  diamond,  30 
cents  per  1,000  ems.  Manuscript  copy,  2  cents  per  1,000  ems  extra. 
Printed  copy,  with  10  interlineations  or  alterations  per  1,000  ems,  to  be 
charged  as  manuscript. 

2.  Work  in  foreign  languages,  Roman  characters,  printed  copy,  s 
cents  per   1,000  ens  extra;  manuscript,  7  cents  per   1,000  ens  extra. 

3.  Work  in  the  Hebrew  language,  35  cents  per  1,000  ems.  Where 
points  are  used,  they  shall  be  counted  according  to  their  body,  and 
charged  40  cents  per  1,000  ems. 

4.  Work  in  the  Greek  language,  45  cents  per  1,000  ems. 

5.  Work  in  which  Hebrew  and  Greek  words,  and  words  in  other 
than  Roman  characters  occur,   i  cent  extra  for  every  three  words. 

6.  Spelling  books,  dictionaries,  primers,  and  all  works  in  which  fig- 
ured vowels  and  accents  are  used,  printed  copy,  iz  cents  per  1,000  ems; 
manuscript,  35  cents  extra  per  1,000  ems. 

7.  Arithmetical   work,    10  cents  extra  per   1,000  ems. 

8.  Algebraical  work,  50  cents  per  1,000  ems. 

9.  Work  in  which  cuts,  excepting  initial  letters,  are  run  into  the 
matter,  2  cents  per  1,000  ems  €xtra  on  the  pages  in  which  such  cuts 
occur.  . 

10.  Quotations,  mottoes,  contents  of  chapters,  footnotes,  descrip- 
tions, undercuts,  to  be  charged  according  to  the  type  in  which  ti.ey  are 
set. 

11.  Jobs  in  script  to  be  counted  as  pica,  33  cents  per  1,000  ems. 

12.  Work  in  which  the  lines  or  paragraphs  are  in  different  sized 
type  alternately,  2  cents  per  1,000  ems  extra. 

13.  All  matter  in  which  there  are  a  number  of  braces,  requiring 
more  than  two  justifications,  a  price  and  a  half.  (In  this  section  refer- 
ence is  made  to  tables  of  classification,  as  a  botanical  work,  etc.) 

14.  Side  and  center  notes,  or  reference  to  Bibles,  Testaments,  law 
and  historical  works,  and  work  of  a  similar  description,  to  be  counted 
according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set,  and  measured  the  whole 
length  of  the  page,  including  the  leads  and  rules,  3  cents  per  1,000  ems 
extra. 

15.  Cut-in  notes,  2  cents  per  note,  and  the  matter  to  be  counted  as 

16.  In  letterpress  offices,  cuts  and  blank  pages  to  be  charged  by 
the  compositor;  and  all  cuts  to  be  charged  according  to  the  type  of  the 
page  in  which  they  respectively  occur. 

17.  Letter  cast  on  a  body  larger  than  the  face,  to  be  charged  ac- 
cording to  the  face;  and  letter  cast  on  a  body  smaller  than  the  face,  to 
be  counted  according  to  the  body. 

18.  The  headline,  the  blank  after  it,  and  the  foot  line,  to  be  count- 
ed three  lines.  An  en  in  width  to  be  counted  an  en;  if  more  than  an 
en,  to  be  counted  an  em;  if  less  than  an  en,  not  to  be  counted. 

19.  When  the  measure  does  not  exceed  14  ems  in  width,  3  cents 
per  1,000  ems  extra.  . 

20.  When   the   measure  does   not   exceed    18   ems   in   width,    2   cents 


1,000  ems  extra.  .  ,. 

22.    The  compositor  shall  not  be  required  to  correct  alterations   Un- 
eluding  alterations  of  punctuations)   from  printed  copy. 

2Z-    In  tabular  work,  three  or  more  columns  of  rules  and  figures  to 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OI-     PRINTERS  J73 

constitute  rule  and  figure  work.  Three  or  more  columns  of  rules  to  con- 
stitute rule  work.  Three  or  more  columns  of  figures  to  constitute  fi^re 
work.  Rule  and  figure  work,  double  price.  Rule  work,  a  price  and  a 
half.     Figure  work,  a  price  and  a  half. 

24.  No  work  shall  be  measured  by  any  type  larger  than  pica. 

25.  jNIaking  up  a  set  of  furniture  to  be  charged  for  according  to 
the  time  occupied. 

26.  In  stereotype  offices,  the  forms  to  be  revised,  or  prepared  for 
molding,  at  the  employer's  expense,  and  reimposed  matter  to  be  in  the 
care  of  the  office. 

2T.    The  lowest  charge  for  any  piece  of  work,  27  cents. 

28.  All  work  on  time   (except  week  work),  20  cents  per  hour. 

29.  Compositors  employed  by  the  week,  $10  per  week;  ten  hours  to 
constitute  a  day's  work. 

MUSIC. 

1.  Plain  choral  music,  18  cents  per  1,000  ems;  plain  choral  music, 
containing  two  parts  on  a  staff,  -or  with  organ  accompaniment,  22  cents 
per  1,000  ems;  where  a  single  staff  on  the  page  contains  two  parts,  JO 
cents  per   1,000   ems. 

2.  Piano  and  other  instrumental  music,  20  cents  per  1,000  ems. 

3.  Rudiments  to  be  counted  as  music. 

4.  Music  jobs,  containing  less  than  15,000  ems,  3  cents  per  l,00» 
ems  extra. 

APPENDIX  B,  NO.  10. 

List  of  Prices  of  the  Columbia    (Washington.  D.  C.)   Typo- 
graphical Society,  Adopted  November  2,  1850. 

COMPOSITION. 

1.  Compositors  to  receive  not  less  than  $12  per  week:  ten  hours 
to  constitute  a  day's  work;  and  for  extra  hours,  25  cents  per  hour. 

2.  In  all  offices,  and  at  all  seasons,  to  receive  not  less  than  $i.$o 
for  each   and   every   Sunday   (to  consist  of  eight  hours),   and   for  extra 

hours  on  said  day,  30  cents  per  hour. 

PIECEWORK. 

1.  All  works  done  in  the  English  language,  common  matter,  from 
pica  to  nonpareil,  40  cents  per  1,000  ems;  nonpareil,  44  cents;  aB»«e.  V 
cents;  pearl,  49  cents;  diamond,  60  cents.  The  headline,  with  the  blank 
after  it,  and  the  foot  line,  in  all  cases,  to  be  counted  as  three  lines. 
An  en.  in  length  or  width,  to  be  counted  an  em;  if  less  than  an  en.  not 
to  be  reckoned.     Above  pica,  to  be  charged  as  pica.  . 

2.  Rule  or  figure  work.— All  rule  or  figure  work  a  price  and  a 
half,  according  to  the  type  in  which  it  is  set.  All  matter  in  which  t»o 
or  more  rules  are  inserted  to  constitute  rule  work;  and  two  or  more 
columns  of  figures   without  rules,   to  constitute   figure   work. 

3.  Rule    and    figure    work.— All    rule    .ind    figure    work    to   be    paid 
double   the    price    of   common    matter.      One   column   of   fi|pIr^^    and    ■>:  «• 
rule,    in  a  page  or  other   matter,   shall   constitute   rule   an«l    •- 
Provided,    hoKCver,    That    on    works   the   pages   of   which    .y 

made   up   of   two   or    more   columns    (as   on   Dcriodical    pul-. 

charge  beyond  that  of  common  matter  shall  be  made  for,  or   ^;. 

of,   the  rules  separating  the  columns.  

4.  All  heads  and  foot  lines  attached  to  rule  <>'  fiK"^'";?'  ?! 
rule    and    figure    work,    to    be    reckoned    the    same    as    the   body   of   ll>e 

'"''""■  All  foreign  languages,  printed  in  Roman  characters,  an  addi- 
tion of  f^«"^^^^P"p;;-;/r Greek,  or  other  foreign  characters.  .0  be 
paid  for  at  the  rate  of  79  cents  per  1.000  ems. 


174 


A  DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF   THE 


7.  Arithmetical  works  to  be  paid  an  advance  of  6  cents  per  1,000 
ems  on  the  price  of  common  matter. 

8.  Algebraical  or  mathematical  works  to  be  charged  double  price. 

9.  Spelling  books,  or  other  work  containing  more  than  two  col- 
umns in  a  nage,  to  be  paid  an  advance  of  one-half  on  the  price  of  com- 
mon matter. 

10.  Music   double   price. 

11.  Side  notes  to  be  counted  the  full  length  of  the  page,  and 
charged  according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set. 

12.  Cut-in  notes  to  be  cast  up  according  to  the  type  in  which  they 
are  set,  and  charged  10  cents  extra  per  1,000  ems;  and  the  whole  page 
to  be  counted  as   text. 

13.  All  bottom  notes,  contents  of  chapters,  etc.,  in  smaller  type 
than  the  text,  to  be  paid  for  according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are 
set. 

14.  All  letter  cast  upon  a  larger  body  than  the  face,  as  bourgeois 
on  long  primer,  to  be  counted  according  to  its  face;  all  letter  cast  upon 
a  smaller  body  than  the  face,  as  minion  on  nonpareil,  to  be  counted 
according  to  the  body;  and  all  letter  shall  measure  i2j^  ems  to  the 
alphabet. 

15.  All  works,  where  the  measure  does  not  exceed  14  ems  in 
width,  to   be   3   cents  per    1,000  ems  advance. 

16.  For  making  up  a  set  of  furniture,  not  exceeding  16  pages,  37 
cents;   exceeding,   66  cents. 

Alterations. — Compositors  to  receive  for  alterations  from  copy  at 
the  rate  of  30  cents  per   hour. 


PRESSWORK. 

1.  Pressmen  shall  receive  not  less  than  $12  per  week;  ten  hours 
to  constitute  a  day's  work;  and  for  extra  hours   25  cents  per  hour. 

2.  At  all  times  to  receive  not  less  than  $2.50  for  each  and  every 
Sunday  (to  consist  of  eight  hours),  and  for  extra  hours  on  said  day  30 
cents  per  hour. 


PIECEWORK. 


Medium  and  below  medium,  when  the  form  consists  of  brevier  or 

larger  lelier 

Below  brevier,  not  less  than 

Royal,  on  brevier  or  larger  letter 

Royal,  below  brevier 

Super  royal,  on  brevier  or  larger  letter 

Super  royal,  below  brevier 

Medium  and  a  half,  on  brevier  or  larger  letter 

Medium  and  a  half,  below  brevier 

Imperial,  on  brevier  or  larger  letter 

Imperial,  below  brevier 

N ewspapers,  when  printed  on  imperial 

Newspapers,  when  printed  on  ro^'al  or  super  royal 

For  any  size  above  imperial  the  charge  shall  be 


41 

33 

46 

36 

4H 

3S 

51 

41 

',^ 

41 

■5"! 

45 

S4 

44 

S7 

47 

,S<) 

49 

61 

51 

59 

49 

a  Pressman  to  pay  his  roller  boy. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


175 


2.  Scale  of  Variation  for  the  Size  of  Forms,  Showing  tui  Numub 
OF  Pica  Ems  (a)  to  Be  Contained  in  Each. 


Numerical  Denomination. 

Medium. 

Royal. 

Super 
royal. 

Medium  llmpe- 
andahalf.    rial 

Twos 

11,066 

9.')(yt) 
9.3(6 
8.816 
8.712 
8,254 
8,2(16 
8.024 
7,948 

13.780 
11.468 
10,716 
10,152 
10,(132 
9,514 
9,450 
9,240 
9,152 

16,318 

13,580 
12,690 
12.(44 
11.881) 
11.276 
11,190 
10,942 
1(1,838 

17.948     19/J7 
M,72ii     I'..j:2 
B.'JfjO  1  ISJH 
13.224  1    14.44 
13.K.8      14.122 
12.J.M1      11^24 
I2.J12      M4'2 
12.(1  V,  1  n.1'12 
11,422      13.1  <* 

Eights 

Thirty-twos 

a  This  table  is  based  upon  6  pica  ems  to  the  statute  inch.  The  Knirlinh  standard 
(see  Penny  Magazine  Vol.  1 1,  p.  422)  is  7lH  pica  ems  to  the  foot;  but  most  (onu  in 
this  country  are  a  slight  degree  smaller. 


3.    Legitimate   Sizes  of   Paper. 

Inches. 

Medium 16  by  22 

Royal    19  by  24 

Super    royal jo  by  27 

Medium  and  a  half 23  by  27 

Imperial    31  by  31 

Any  form  exceeding  either  of  these  by  300  ems.  to  b«  charged  as 
the  next  size. 

4.  All  bookwork  less  than  4  tokens  to  be  charged  3  cents  extra  per 
token. 

5.  Jobs  48  cents  per  token,  when  worked  on  medium  or  paper  be- 
low medium;  when  on  royal  or  upward,  on  brevier  or  larger  letter,  not 
less  than  52  cents;  below  brevier.  54  cents;  when  on  imperial,  60  cenu 
per  token. 

6.  Work  done  in  colors,   double  price. 

7.  Cards,  for  one  pack,  and  not  exceeding  two  packs,  47  cents; 
when  exceeding  two  packs,  to  be  paid  for  at  the  rate  of  19  cents  per 
pack. 

8.  Broadsides  shall  be  a  price  and  a  half,  according  to  the  liie  of 
the  paper.  To  constitute  a  broadside,  the  matter  to  extend  across  the 
sheet  without  a  break.  A  foolscap  sheet,  and  all  above,  to  be  considered 
a  broadside. 

9.  Parchments  to  be  50  cents  per  token. 

10.  All  matter  that  is  required  to  be  made  up  and  imposed  in  pages. 
to  be  considered  bookwork.  except  newspapers  of  4,  8,  or  16  pages. 

11.  A  token  shall  consist  of  J40  sheets. 

12.  For  taking  down  or  putting  up  a  press.  25  cents  per  hour. 

13.  For   lifting  a    form   before  completed,  44  cents. 

14.  For  covering  a  tympan  and  drawer,  $1.50,  or  75  cents  for 
either.  .    ,, 

15.  When  an  alteration  in  a  form  takes  place,  each  pressman  siuil 
be  paid  at  the  rate  of  25  cents  per  hour  for  the  time  occupied,  or  30 
cents  per  hour,  if  but  one  pressman,  with  a  roller  boy.         ...  . 

16.  No  pressman  shall  teach  an  apprentice  presswork  without  the 
benefit  of  his  work  for  fifteen  weeks,  or  half  his  wages  for  SIX  months; 
and  he  shall  be  a  regular  apprentice  of  the  office. 

(November  2,  1850.) 


176  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

APPENDIX  B,  NO.  11. 

Scale  of  Prices  of  the  Printers'  Union  of  the  City  of  New 
York,  Proclaimed  February  1,  1851.  (Adopted  October 
26,  1850.) 

(Somewfiat  abridged  and  condensed.) 

The  scale  for  bookwork  occupies  15  pages  of  the  pamphlet  contain- 
ing the  scale,  (a)    The  most  essential  points  of  this  book  scale  are: 

Article  i.  Works  done  in  the  English  language,  common  matter 
(reprint)  from  pica  to  agate,  inclusive,  27  cents  per  1,000  ems;  pearl,  33 
cents;   diamond,  40  cents. 

Art.  2.  Works  done  in  the  English  language,  common  matter 
(manuscript)  from  pica  to  agate,  inclusive,  29  cents  per  1,000  ems; 
pearl,  34  cents;  diamond,  42  cents. 

Art.  3.  Works  done  in  pica,  or  any  larger  type,  to  be  counted  as 
pica. 

Then  follow  several  articles  specifying  extras:  Works  in  Latin  or 
Spanish,  3  cents  extra  per  1,000  ems;  French,  s  cents  extra;  grammars, 
S  cents.  Works  printed  in  both  Greek  and  Latin,  or  in  Greek  and  Eng- 
lish, are  charged  price  and  a  half;  so,  too,  of  work  in   Greek  alone. 

Art.  15.  Side  and  center  notes  in  Bibles  and  Testaments,  to  be 
counted  the  full  length  of  the  page  (including  the  lead,  or  one  rule, 
which  shall  count  at  least  i  em)  according  to  the  type  in  which  they 
are  set,  and  charged  a  price  and  a  half.  Cut-in  notes,  in  the  above 
works,  to  be  charged  4  cents  extra  each  note,  and  the  whole  page  to  be 
counted  as  text. 

Art.  19.  The  headline,  with  the  blank  after  it,  and  foot  line,  to  be 
charged  by  the  maker-up,  and  counted  not  less  than  3  lines. 

Art.  21.  Time  occupied  by  alterations  from  copy,  by  casing  or  dis- 
tributing letter  not  used  by  the  compositor,  etc.,  to  be  paid  for  at  the 
rate  of  18  cents  per  hour.  When  compositors  are  required  to  work  be- 
yond regular  hours  they  shall  be  paid  at  the  rate  of  21  cents  per  hour, 
or  5  cents  advance  per  1,000  ems. 

Art.  22.    All   letter  cast  on  a  body  larger  than  the  face   (as  bour- 

a  The  following  preface  to  the  scale  is  issued  "To  the  trade,"  and 
is  of  historical  value: 

TO    THE    TRADE. 

The  following  "scale  of  prices"  has  been  adopted,  after  mature  de- 
liberation, by  the  "New  York  Printers'  Union,"  and,  so  far  as  their 
members  are  concerned,  will  be  fully  supported  from  the  first  day  of 
February,    1851. 

We  submit  these  prices  to  the  trade  at  large,  and  ask  for  them  the 
support  of  journeymen  and  employers;  because  we  believe  them  to  be  in 
every  respect  just  and  reasonable, — because  a  number  of  the  largest  and 
best  establishments  in  the  city  now  pay  them, — because  the  recent  great 
increase  in  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  the  general  advance  of  wages  by 
other  trades,  render  these  enhanced  prices  in  our  business  imperatively 
necessary, — because  they  will  tend  to  the  physical  and  consequently  the 
moral  improvement  of  printers, — because  they  will  protect  good  workmen 
against  quacks,  and  thus  become  of  pecuniary  interest  both  to  the  em- 
ployer and  the  workman, — and  because  they  will  form  what  has  been 
long  needed  in  this  city,  a  uniform  and  well-known  tariff  of  wages. 

With  these  brief,  but  we  think  cogent  reasons,  we  submit  the  "New 
York  Union  scale"  to  the  trade;  and  by  our  signatures  hereunto  ap- 
pended, do  certify  the  following  to  be  a  correct  transcript  of  the  origi- 
nal copy. 

F.  J.  Ottarson, 
President  of  the  New  York  Printers'  Union, 

C.  Walker  Colbukn, 

Recording  Secretary. 

January  25,   1851. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  ,77 

geois  on  long  primer)  to  be  counted  according  to  the  face;  all  letter 
cast  on  a  body  smaller  than  the  face  (as  minion  on  nonpareil)  to  be 
counted  according  to  the  body.  All  fonts,  the  alphabets  of  which  meas- 
ure kss  than  12^2,  ems,  to  be  counted  in  width  according  to  the  next 
smaller  size. 

Art.  23.  In  all  cases  where  a  companionship  may  deem  it  neces- 
sary that  matter  should  be  made  up  by  one  pt-rson,  the  compositors  may 
appoint  from  among  themselves,  or  authorize  the  employer  to  ap(>uint  a 
person  to  perform  that  duty,  on  terms  to  be  agreed  upon  between  tliem- 
selves  and  the  person  employed  to  make-up:  I'rotiJcJ.  honever,  That 
no  more  than  2  cents  per  1,000  ems  shall  be  allowed  for  making-up,  im- 
posing, taking  the  necessary  proofs,  and  keeping  the  schedule. 

Art.  24.  When  a  compositor  is  required  to  take  out  bad  lettert, 
and  replace  them,  in  consequence  of  faults  in  the  founder,  miscasts,  or 
worn-out  fonts,  he  shall  be  paid  at  the  rate  of   18  cents  per  hour. 

Art.  25.  For  imposing  forms,  no  more  shall  be  allowed  than  1 
cents  per  page  for  quarto,  2  cents  for  octavo,  I'/i  for  duodecimo,  1 54 
for  sexadecimo,  and  the  like  sum  for  all  forms  of  a  larger  number  of 
pages — the  compositor,  in  all  cases,  to  lay  the  pages  in  regular  order, 
or  be  respoiisible  for  their  being  so  done. 

Art.  27.  Making  up  furniture  for  a  quarto  form.  18  cents;  an 
octavo,  25  cents;  and  3  cents  extra  for  all  other  impositions  progres- 
sively. 

Art.  28.  Compositors  employed  by  the  week,  shall  receive  not  Ie*« 
than  $10,  ten  hours  to  be  considered  a  day's  work. 

Art.  29.  The  compositors  on  a  work  arc  entitled  to  correct  the 
author's  proofs,  for  which  they  shall  be  paid  at  the  rate  of  18  cents  per 
hour.  . 

Art.  32.  When  woodcuts  are  inserted  in  the  matter,  or  worked  in 
pages  along  with  the  body  of  the  work,  such  cuts  belong  to  the  com- 
positors: but  where  the  cuts  are  worked  entirely  separate,  the  same  as 
copperplate  engravings  or  lithographic  plates,  tliey  shall  not  be  claimed 
by  the  compositors.  . 

.\rt.  34.  In  large  book  rooms,  the  establishment  has  the  privilege 
of  claiming  full  titles  and  dedications,  but  in  no  case  sliall  piece-payinjf 
establishments  claim  half  titles,  or  any  other  prefixed  matter,  nor  cull 
the  fat  portions  of  any  work.  ,         .       » 

Art.  37.  When  a  compositor  (working  by  the  piece)  receives  copy 
of  contents,  indexes,  or  anv  other  copy  where  more  than  the  usual 
quantitv  of  capitals,  figures,  periods  and  italics  are  used,  the  esUblub- 
ment  shall  furnish  the  compositor  with  the  necessary  sorts. 

Art.  39.  The  compositor  shall  in  all  cases  be  exempt  from  clear  in  f 
away,  tying  up,  or  in  any  manner  taking  charge  of  matter  which  be  bas 
set:  Pro'.^ded,  al'ways.  That  this  article  shall  not  interfere  with  the  cus- 
tom existing  as  to  headlines,  titles,  taking  out  leads,  etc.  •     j    ,„   k- 

Art.  40.  When  works,  or  portions  of  works,  are  required  to  be 
leaded,  and  the  leads  are  not  furnished  by  the  office  at  the  twnc  of  com- 
position,  such  matter  to  be  afterwards  leaded,  but  at  'he  "Pr"»'  ".V?* 
employer,  and  the  compositor  to  charge  such  matter  the  same  as  il  be 
himself  had  originally  put  in  the  leads.         .  ,,„,,„    ;„    ,he    office 

Art.  43.  When  compositors  are  required  to  remain  "?  .«'''  "^J 
unemployed,  awaiting  orders  from  the  employer,  etc..  they  shall  be  paid 

^'  ^••^i;^'Lwspaper"ca'JesVrb-work  and  presswork  scales  are  in  full. 
as  follows: 

MORNING  NEWSPAPER  WORK. 

Article  i.  Compositors  emploved  by  the  Pj«'  •»>»». h^^'^T.^^^",'' 
less  than  %2  cents  per  i.ooo  ems.  for  common  '"a  ter.  >\  hen  c.  rn^  1 
itors    are   employed    at    night   only,    by   the    piece,    they   sh.lt    r-^  .^    -. 

""^!^^T:  2:°  Compositors  employed  by  the  week  (.ix  .U)^ 
not  less  than  $.4  per  week:  t^^'^^hours  to  conM  tiMr 
When  employed   on   night  situations,   two  hours  shall  De 


178  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

afternoon  to  distribution,  and  seven  hours  at  night  (from  7  to  2  o'clock) 
to  composition;  and  they  shall  be  paid  $11  per  week.  For  all  times  be- 
yond 2  o'clock  at  night,  in  either  of  the  above  situations,  25  cents  per 
hour  shall  be  charged,  or  the  time  deducted  from  the  following  day,  at 
the  option  of  the  employer. 

Art.  3.  Compositors  may  be  employed  during  the  day,  on  morning 
papers,  at  28  cents  per   1,000  ems,  or  $10  per  week. 

Art.  4.  When  required  to  remain  in  the  office  unemployed  during 
the  stipulated  hours  for  composition,  the  compositor  shall  receive  not 
less  than  25  cents  per  hour  for  such  standing  time;  it  being  understood, 
of  course,  that  he  shall  perform  any  other  reasonable  work  that  the  em- 
ployer may  appoint  during  such  standing  time.  Time  occupied  in  casing 
or  distributing  letter  not  to  be  used  by  the  person  distributing  or  casing, 
alterations  from  copy,  lifting  forms,  etc.,  to  be  paid  for  at  not  less  than 
25  cents  per  hour. 

Art.  s.  When  compositors  are  called  upon  before  the  regular  hour 
for  commencing  composition,  in  case  of  the  arrival  of  a  steamer,  etc., 
they  shall  be  paid  not  less  than  $1  each  for  such  call,  and  be  entitled  to 
the  matter  they  set.  This  is  understood  to  apply  to  both  week  and  piece 
work. 

Art.  6.  Tabular  work,  etc.,  containing  three  or  four  columns,  either 
of  figures  or  words,  or  figures  and  words,  without  rules,  shall  be 
charged  a  price  and  a  half.  All  work,  as  above,  with  brass  or  other 
rules,  or  where  there  are  five  or  more  columns  of  figures,  or  figures  and 
words,  with  or  without  rules,  shall  be  paid  double  price. 

Art.  7.  For  work  done  in  pearl,  or  smaller  type,  an  advance  of  4 
cents  per  1,000  ems  shall  be  charged.  For  work  done  in  French,  Ger- 
man, and  other  foreign  languages,  an  advance  of  5  cents  per  1,000  ems 
shall  be  charged. 

Art.  8.  When  a  measure  exceeds  even  ems  in  width,  and  is  less 
than  a  3-em  space,  no  extra  charge  is  to  be  made;  if  a  3-em  space,  an 
en  to  be  counted;  if  an  en,  an  en  to  be  counted;  if  over  an  en,  an  em 
to  be  counted. 

Art.  9.  Bastard  letter  to  be  cast  up  as  described  in  article  22  of 
book  scale. 

Art.  10.  Where  intricate  work,  etc.,  occurs,  which  the  newspaper 
scale  can  not  reach,  the  price  to  be  agreed  upon  between  employer  and 
journeyman. 

Art.  II.  In  offices  where  both  week  and  piece  hands  are  employed, 
the  fat  and  lean  copy  to  be  distributed  equally  among  them. 

EVENING  NEWSPAPER  WORK. 

Article  i.  Compositors  employed  by  the  piece  shall  receive  28 
cents  per   1,000  ems  for  common  matter. 

Art.  2.  Compositors  employed  by  the  week  (six  days)  shall  receive 
not  less  than   $10 — ten  hours  to  constitute  a  day's  work. 

Art.  3.  For  time  (as  laid  down  in  Art.  4,  of  morning  paper  scale), 
a  charge  of   18  cents  per  hour  shall  be  made. 

Articles  6,  7,  8,  9,  10  and  11,  of  morning  paper  scale,  shall  apply 
to  evening  papers. 

WEEKLY,   SEMI-WEEKLY  AND   TRI-WEEKLY   PAPERS. 

Article  i.  Compositors  employed  by  the  piece  shall  receive  not 
less  than  28  cents  per  1,000  ems  for  common  matter. 

Art.  2.  Compositors  employed  by  the  week  (six  days)  shall  receive 
not  less  than  $10 — ten  hours  to  constitute  a  day's  work. 

Art.  3.  Compositors  employed  by  the  piece  on  Sunday  papers  shall 
receive  not  less  than  28  cents  per  1,000  ems  for  common  matter.  When 
employed  by  the  week  (six  days)  they  shall  receive  not  less  than  $11  — 
ten  hours  to  constitute  a  day's  work,  with  the  exception  of  Saturday, 
when  it  is  expected  that  a  week  hand  will  work  during  the  evening. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS 


I/-? 


Art.  4.  For  time  (as  laid  down  in  Art.  4  of  morning  paper  »cale). 
a  charge  of   18  cents  per  hour  shall  be  made. 

Articles  6,  7.  8,  9,  10  and  11,  of  morning  paper  scale,  shall  apply  to 
weekly,   semi-weekly,  triweekly  and   Sunday  papers. 

JOB  WORK. 

Article  i.  All  job  work  of  a  fancy  or  display  character  shall  be 
either  paid  for  on  time  or  by  special  agreement,  accordmg  to  it*  relative 
value — that  is  to  say,  all  that  class  of  jobs  styled  posters,  »h<.»  cardi, 
handbills,  circulars,  billheads,  cards,  labels,  and  others  ot  a  simil.ir  de- 
scription. All  pamphlets,  catalogues,  sermons,  tracts,  by-laws,  .ind  i.iher 
works  of  a  like  nature,  when  making  not  more  than  one  sheet,  to  bt 
considered  jobs;  and,  if  done  on  the  piece,  to  be  paid  for  at  the  rate  of 

28  cents  per  1,000  ems,  for  either  manuscript  or  reprint,  without  the 
usual  extras  belonging  to  bookwork;  but  when  making  over  one  sheet,  to 
be  charged  in  accordance  with  the  book  scale  with  the  extras  belonging 
thereto. 

Art.  2.  All  men  employed  by  the  week  shall  be  paid  at  the  rate 
of  $10:  when  paid  by  the  hour,  the  price  shall  correspond  to  the  amount 
per  week — ten  hours  to  constitute  a  day's  work.  When  required  to 
work  beyond  regailar  hours,  such  extra  time  shall  be  paid  for  at  the 
rate  of  21  cents  per  hour;  and  if  by  the  piece,  the  compositor  shall  re- 
ceive 5  cents  advance  per  1,000  ems. 

PRESSWORK. 

Article  i.  Pozcer  pressmen. — No  power  pressman  shall  work  for  a 
less  sum  than  $10  per  week,  for  day  work,  or  $12  per  week,  for  night 
work.  The  day's  work  in  all  cases  to  consist  of  ten  hours.  Overwork 
shall  be  paid  for  at  the  rate  of  21   cents  per  hour. 

Art.  2.  The  pressman  shall  not  be  held  responsible  for  any  acci 
dent  that  may  happen  at  a  press  at  which  he  is  not  actually  working,  pro 
vided  such  press  was  all  right  when  it  was  started. 

Art.  3.  No  pressman  shall  take  charge  of  more  than  two  presses. 
unless  temporarily,  as  in  the  case  of  the  sickness  of  a  fellow  workman. 
or  other  emergency.  .,       .        .  ,        j    1.       .1. 

Art.  4.  Hand  pressmen. — No  hand  pressman,  employed  by  the 
week,  shall  work  for  a  less  sum  than  $10  per  week,  for  day  work.  <.r 
less  than  $12  per  week,  for  night  work.  The  day  s  work  in  all  cases  to 
consist  of  ten  hours.  Overwork  shall  be  paid  for  at  the  rate  of  ji 
cents  per  hour.  .  ^    ,.  ^     ,         ...  •   .. 

Art.  5.  Book-u-ork  on  the  /(ircf.— Ordinary  bookwork  to  be  pa>«l  •« 
the  following  rates:  Medium.  18  by  22  inches,  25  ccnrs  ,.rr  •  Vrn; 
royal,  20  by  25  inches,  27  cents  per  token;  super  royal.  ^«. 

29  cents  per  token;  medium  and  a  half,  24  by  20  iiu  "^ 
token:  imperial,  23  by  33  inches,  33  cents  per  token  '». 
or  larger,   to  be  subject  to  special  agreement,      l-or  all  j    .        ■ 

of  4  tokens,  or  less,  2  cents  extra  per  token  .shall  be  «-''-"J|^''- 

Job  work  on  the  pU-ce.—lso  job,  the  number  of  which  d.->es  not  e» 
ceed  1,000,  shall  be  done  for  less  than  25  cents  per  token  "«^5°  »7*";, 
nor  shall  any  description  of  work,  of  what  number  soever,  be  done  for 
less  than  23  cents  per  token.  .      „^,--  ,„,. 

Art.  6:  Any  number  of  sheets  exceeding  la  over  the  regular  sur 
plus  shall  be  reckoned  as  a  token,  and  charged. 

Art.   7.    Pulling  clean  proofs  shall  he  charged  on  time. 

Art.  8.     Extra   bookwork   to   be   paid    as   may   be   airree.! 
extra  bookwork  is  meant  such   bookwork  forms  as  ha);'/"''  .       . 
where  the  pages  are  surrounded  with   rules— where    here  are 
24  pages  in  the  form— or  any  other  thing  which  cause*  extra  I..  -. 
the  P^«--s^^^  bj„3  ^,  be  paid  50  cenU  per  token.    If  fo  or  more 


l8o  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

colors  are  required,  or  any  extra  care  be  required  in  the  making  ready 
or  working,  they  shall  be  charged  on  time,  or  by  special  agreement. 

Art.  10.  Cards. — Small  or  ordinary  business  cards  shall  be  paid  25 
cents  for  the  first  pack,  and  10  cents  for  each  subsequent  pack.  Extra 
size  cards,  as  show  cards,  etc.,  50  cents  for  the  first  pack,  and  25  cents 
for  every  succeeding  pack. 

Art.  II.  Extra  work. — All  kinds  of  extra  work,  as  headings,  show 
cards  with  cuts  in  them,  wood  engravings,  colored  work,  or  printing  in 
gold,  silver,  bronze,  etc.,  to  be  paid  for  either  on  time  or  by  special 
agreement. 

Art.  12.    Standing,  to  be  paid  for  at  the  rate  of  18  cents  per  hour. 

Art.  13.  When  the  press  is  not  furnished  with  a  self-inking  appa- 
ratus, the  employer  shall  furnish  a  roller  boy  at  his  own  expense. 

Art.  14.  When  the  inking  apparatus  is  not  worked  by  steam,  the 
pressman  shall  be  entitled  to  charge  2  cents  per  token  extra. 

Art.  15.  Lifting  forms. — When  a  pressman  is  required  to  lift  his 
form,  he  shall  be  entitled  to  charge  i   token  therefor. 

Art.  16.  tutting  on  tympans. — The  pressman  shall  be  entitled  to 
5*0  cents  for  putting  on  a  new  tympan,  either  outer  or  inner. 

Art.  17.  Pressmen  employed  in  cleaning,  putting  up,  or  removing 
presses,  shall  be  paid  21  cents  per  hour. 

Art.  18.  Pressmen  required  to  cast  rollers,  cut  paper,  or  do  any 
other  work  not  fairly  to  be  considered  presswork,  in  their  own  time, 
shall  be  paid  18  cents  per  hour  for  the  same. 

This  scale  of  prices  shall  at  no  time  be  altered  or  amended,  unless 
notice  of  such  alteration  or  amendment  shall  have  been  given  at  least 
one  month  previously  to  being  acted  upon;  nor  then,  except  by  a  two- 
third  vote  of  the  members  present. 

Adopted  October  26,  1850. 

E.  H.  Rogers,  Acting  President. 

H.  A.  Guild,  Secretary  pro  tern. 

APPENDIX  B,  NO.  12. 

Scale  of  Prices   of  the  Cincinnati  Typographical  Union,   to 
Take  Effect  on  Thursday,  November  24,  1853. 

COMPOSITION. 

Article  I. 

Section  1.  No  office  shall  be  entitled  to  more  than  three  appren- 
tices. The  number  in  small  offices  to  be  regulated  by  the  standing  com- 
mittee. 

Article  II. 

Section  i.  Composition  on  morning  papers,  common  matter,  shall 
be  charged  at  the  rate  of  35  cents  per  1,000  ems,  and  all  standing  time 
shall  be  charged  as  follows,  namely:  For  half  an  hour  or  less  15  cents; 
over  half  an  hour,  and  not  exceeding  an  hour,  30  cents.  All  matter 
composed  in  a  morning  newsroom  to  be  regarded  as  belonging  to  a 
morning  paper,  and  to  be  charged  as  such. 

Sec.  2.  Composition  on  other  than  morning  papers,  common  matter, 
30  cents  per  1,000  ems;  and  all  matter  composed  on  Sundays,  and  after 
q  o'clock  p.  m.,  on  Mondays,  Tuesdays,  Wednesdays,  Thursdays,  and 
Fridays,  and  after  5  p.  m.  on  Saturdays  shall  be  charged  a  price  and  a 
half. 

Section  i.  Composition  on  bookwork,  common  matter,  from  pica  to 
agate,  inclusive,  32  cents  per  1,000  ems;  pearl,  331/2  cents:  diamond,  35 
cents.     All  work  done  in  larger  type  than  pica  to  be  counted  as  pica. 

Sec.  2.  All  foreign  languages,  in  the  Roman  characters  (reprint), 
an  advance  per   1,000  ems  of  5  cents;   in  manuscript,    10  cents. 

Sec.  3.  Spelling  books,  and  works  of  that  description,  an  advance, 
on  the  entire  work,  of  5  cents  per   1,000  ems. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    I'RINTKRS  i8i 

Sec.  4.  English  dictionaries,  printed  with  figured  vowel*  or  accent*. 
an  advance  per  1,000  ems  of  5  cents;  without  figured  vowels  or  accent*. 
an  advance  of  2  cents. 

Sec.  5.  All  work  where  figures,  points,  capitals,  small  capital*,  or 
italics  are  profusely  used,  an  advance  of  j  cents  ptr   1,000  ems. 

Sec.  6.  Grammars  and  arithmetics  to  be  charged  an  advance  of  5 
cents  per   1,000  ems. 

Sec.  7.  Works  in  algebra,  where  matter  is  generally  plain,  3  centa 
advance  per  1,000  ems;  all  other  algebraical  works.  18  cents  advance  per 
1,000  ems. 

Sec.  8.  Works  done  in  the  Hebrew,  without  points,  15  cent*  per 
1,000  ems  advance;  when  with  points,  the  body  and  the  points  to  be 
cast  up,  each  according  to  its  size,  and  to  be  charged  double. 

Sec.  9.  Works  in  Greek,  with  accents  attached,  8  cents  advance 
per  1,000  ems;  with  kerns,  18  cents  advance  per  1,000  ems;  in  Greek 
and  Latin  combined,  8  cents  advance  per  1,000  ems. 

Sec.  10.  When  Greek,  Hebrew,  Saxon,  or  any  other  character  not 
in  common  use,   occasionally  occurs,  to  be  charged   i   cent  per   word. 

Sec.  II.  Plain  choral  music,  20  cents  per  1,000  em*;  plain  choral 
music  containing  two  parts  on  a  staff,  or  with  organ  accompaniment.  J4 
cents  per  1,000  ems;  when  a  single  staff  on  a  page  contains  two  part*,  n 
cents  per  1,000  ems.  Piano  and  other  instrumental  music,  a  cent*  per 
1,000  ems;  rudiments  to  be  charged  the  same  as  the  music  accompanying. 
All  music  jobs  containing  less  than  15,000  ems,  an  advance  of  j  cent* 
per  1,000  ems. 

Sec.  12.  Side  and  center  notes  to  be  counted  the  full  length  of  the 
page,  including  the  lead  or  one  rule,  according  to  the  type  in  »bich 
they  are  set,  and  charged  5  cents  advance  per  1,000  ems.  Culm  note*, 
when  in  type  foreign  to  the  te.xt,  to  be  charged  at  the  rate  of  50  cettU 
per  1,000  ems,  and  no  deduction  to  be  made  from  the  regular  page. 

Sec.  13.  Works  on  natural  philosophy,  chemistry,  a.slronomy.  Sot- 
any,  etc.,  where  woodcuts  are  inserted  in  the  matter  which  cause  over- 
running in  making  up,  and  especially  when  questions  are  appended  al 
the  bottom  of  the  page,  25  cents  per  hour  shall  be  charged  for  the  time 

Sec.  14.  Medical,  astronomical,  and  philosophical  work*,  where 
signs   frequently  occur,  a  price  and  a  half. 

Sec.  15.  Small,  isolated  tables,  inrcunng  in  works  of  a  wrow 
measure,  as  in  double-column  octavo,  to  be  paid  for  according  to  Ibc 
time  consumed  in  composing  them,  at  the  rate  of  25  cent*  per  """r. 

Sec.  16.  All  cuts  shall  be  charged  by  the  compositor,  and  estimated 
according  to  the  body  of  the  work.  /...,..-„,l- 

Sec.  17.  Works  in  which  the  lines  or  paragraphs  occvir  frequently 
in  different  sized  type,  to  be  cast  up  separately,  and  charged  an  advance 

^slc.'^^'^Al'^matt'^r■  in  which  there  are  a  number  of  brace*  renulr- 
ing  two  or  more  justifications,  as  in  botanical  works,  a  price  and  a  hall 
to  be^^harged.^^^  ^^^^^^  ^^^^  ^^  and  proved  by  the  ""P'"?? '■  ''«;;P* 
on  newspapers,  to  be  charged  2  cents  less  per  i.ooo  «Mn.  ->..  matter, 
however,   to  be  made  up  by  the  employer  or  .>t  —  ^^ 

consent  of  the  journeyman  composing  the   samr  ■  ^ 

strued  as  giving  to  tlic  employer  the  headings.   '  .^ 

foot  lines,   or  any  portion  of  matter,  ^.n'^'.  a*:-^      .  ,  ^m-        ■  -   •,     i^ 
to  the  journeyman  when  he  makes  up  himselt.  an.i  a.i  k-m. 
charged  with  the  body  of  the  page.  .„,ii„  ,h.f,  the  body  of  ibe 

Sec.  20.    Headlines,   when  set  in  type  smaller  than  the  iK>oyo,  .nr 
work,  or  spaced,  the   folios  justified,  or  altered   for  ea.  a    . 
1  cent  extra  per  page  shalj  be  charged. 

Sec     ^i.    The  compositor  shall,   in  all  cases,   i>e  e 
ing  away,  tying  up,   unloading,  or  in  any  '"»"""  '^"'.^  .    ,, 

ef  which  he  has  set,  exceot  to  d-str.b"te,  and  clear  a-  j^ 

and   foot   lines,   titles,   and    blanks,   and,   also,    to   leave 


l82  A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 

column  work  free  of  rules:  Provided,  That  such  matter  shall  be  ready 
to  clear  away  while  the  compositor  holds   his  situation. 

Sec.  22.  Compositors  shall,  in  all  cases,  charge  for  every  blank 
page  at  the  end  of  the  work  imposed — each  form  to  be  graduated  by  the 
following  rule:  In  octavo  forms,  if  less  than  2  pages,  to  be  charged  as 
2;  for  3  pages,  4  to  be  charged;  for  5,  6  or  7  pages,  a  full  form  to  be 
charged. 

Sec.  23.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  compositor  to  take  two  proofs 
of  each  form  he  imposes.  All  proofs  taken  afterwards  shall  be  charged 
at  the  rate  of  i  cent  per  page,  and  for  small  jobs,  5  cents  each.  Where 
extra  proofs  are  required  from  the  carelessness  of  the  compositor,  no 
additional  charge  shall  be  made. 

Article  IV. 

Section  i.  Tabular  or  column  work,  etc.,  containing  three  or  four 
columns  of  figures,  or  words,  or  figures  and  words,  shall  be  charged  a 
price  and  a  Ifalf.  All  work,  as  above,  with  brass  or  other  rules,  or 
where  there  are  five  or  more  columns  of  figures,  or  words,  or  figures 
and  words,   with  or  without  rules,  shall  be  charged  double   price. 

Sec.  2.  Where  a  measure  exceeds  even  ems  in  width,  and  is  less 
than  an  en,  an  en  only  to  be  counted;  but  if  over  an  en,  to  be  counted 
an  em. 

Sec.  3.  Where  a  measure  does  not  exceed  8  ems  in  width,  4  cents 
extra  per  1,000  ems;  8  and  less  than  14,  3  cents  extra  per  1,000  ems; 
14  and  under  13,  2  cents  extra  per  1,000  ems;  18  and  under  21,  i  cent 
extra  per  1,000  ems. 

Sec.  4.  All  letter  cast  on  a  body  larger  than  the  face — as  bour- 
geois on  long  primer — to  be  counted  according  to  the  face;  and  all  letter 
cast  on  a  smaller  body  than  the  face,  to  be  counted  according  to  the 
body.  The  standard  for  all  regular  fonts  of  letter,  from  pica  to  dia- 
mond inclusive,  shall  be  as  follows:  For  pica,  11  ems;  small  pica,  12 
ems;  long  primer,  12  ems;  bourgeois,  12  ems;  brevier,  13  ems;  minion, 
13  ems;  nonpareil,  14  ems;  agate,  15  ems;  pearl,  16  ems;  and  diamond, 
17  ems.  All  fonts  of  letter,  the  alphabets  of  which  fall  below  the  num- 
bers of  ems  above  established,  shall,  in  all  cases,  be  charged,  for  every 
3-em  space  of  such  deficiency,    i  cent  extra  per  1,000  ems. 

Sec.  5.  Making  up  furniture,  casing  new  letter,  pulling  out  or  put- 
ting in  leads  (after  the  matter  shall  have  been  set),  alterations  in  proof 
from  copy,  in  phraseology,  punctuation,  capitalization,  italicization,  small 
capitalization,  or  in  any  other  particular,  shall  be  charged  according  to 
the  time  consumed,  at  the  rate  of  25  cents  per  hour. 

Sec.  6.  All  fat  matter  shall  be  equally  distributed,  in  such  manner 
as  the  journeymen  in  each  office,   respectively,  may  agree  upon. 

Sec.  7.  All  work  not  coming  legitimately  under  the  above  scale, 
shall  be  charged  at  the  rate  of  25  cents  per  hour. 

Article  V. 

Section  i.  Foremen  and  assistant  foremen  on  morning  papers  shall 
receive  not  less  than  $15  per  week. 

Sec.  2.  Foremen  and  assistant  foremen  on  other  than  morning  pa- 
pers shall  receive  not  less  than  $13  per  week. 

Sec.  3.  Compositors  in  book  or  job  offices  shall  receive  not  less 
than  $12  per  week. 

Sec.  4.  Ten  hours  shall  be  considered  a  day's  work,  except  on 
Saturday,  when  it  shall  be  nine,  and  end  at  5  o'clock,  p.  m. 

PRESSWORK. 

1.  Medium  size  or  under,   per  token $0  25 

2.  Imperial  or  medium  and  a  half  or  under 30 

3.  Double  medium,  or  mammoth 38 

4.  On  forms  of  but  one  token,  advance 10 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    6v    I'KINTKRS 


183 


5.  Lifting  form  before  completed,  to  be  charged  same  as  token. 

6.  Poetical   works   of   24s  and   under   7js,   super   royal  and   under 

(where   the    number   does   not   exceed    1,000    copies,   2   cents 

advance),   per  token jg 

7.  Steamboat  bills,  on  post  or  cap  paper,  per  ream 1  00 

8.  Steamboat  bills,   on  post  or  cap  paper,  one-half  ream 50 

9.  Broadsides,  cap  or  letter,  per  token j5 

10.  Broadsides,   medium  or  larger,  per  token 50 

11.  Posters,   medium  or  under,    first   hundred 40 

12.  Posters,  medium  or  under,   each  additional  hundred 30 

13.  Posters,  imperial  to  double  medium,  first  hundred 45 

14.  Posters,  imperial  to  double  medium,  each  additional  hundred..  J5 

15.  Handbills,   half-sheet  medium  or  under,   per  first   token 40 

16.  Handbills,  half-sheet  medium  or  under,  each  additional  token.  30 

17.  Cap  or   letter  jobs,   including  circulars,  bill  heads,   bills  of  lad- 

ing,   dray   tickets,    magistrates'   and  constables'   blanks,    wood 

receipts,  etc.,   per  single  token J5 

18.  Each   additional    token 30 

19.  Steamboat  registers,  headings,  etc.,  on  demy,  per  single  token. 

or  under 50 

20.  Each   additional   token 3$ 

21.  Blank  checks,  on  post  or  demy,  single  token 50 

22.  Each  additional  token 3$ 

23.  Blank  checks,  on  cap  or  letter  paper,  per  token j$ 

24.  All  jobs  done  in  colors,  to  be  charged  by  the  hour j$ 

25.  All  jobs  on  bank-note,  silk  or  linen  paper 50 

26.  Policies   of   insurance,,  on   folio   post  or   proposition   paper,  per 

token    SO 

27.  Steamboat  bills,  medium  or  royal  paper,  per  ream 1   iS 

28.  Steamboat  bills,  medium  or  royal  paper,  one-half  ream 7$ 

29.  Cards,   No.   7  or  under,  per  hundred to 

30.  Cards,    larger    size S" 

31.  Hat  tips,  same  as  cards. 

32.  All  parchments  on  letter-sheet  size  or  over,  per  pull 0$ 

33.  All  parchments  under  letter-sheet  size,  per  hour *J 

34.  Covering  tympan  and   drawer,   each S" 

35.  All  work  done  with  machine  rollers,  advance,  per  token ©5 

36.  Working  a  new  hand  press,  first  month,  advance,  per  token...  0$ 

37.  For  each  roller  that  a  pressman  casts  he  sh.ill  receive... $• 

38.  After   a   form    is   put   to   press,    the   pressman   shall   receive   J$ 

cents   per  hour   for  detentions  caused   by  alterations  or  cor- 
rections. 

For  all  work  done  by  the  hour,  pressmen  shall  recri.'         '   '  '    " 
25  cents   per  hour;   and   at  not   less  than   this  rate.    hn< 
extra   trouble,    and    all    work    not   coming    legitimately 
scale,  shall  be  arranged  between  the  employer  and  the  r 

1.  Pressmen  on   daily  morning  papers,   working  bv   • 
ceive  not  less  than  $15;  all  other  pressmen  not  less  than 

2.  Ten   hours   to   be   considered   a   day's  work,   extr, 

which  shall  be  nine  hours,  and  end  at   5  o'clock,  p.  m.      .  .  "' 
after  9  o'clock  at  night,  or  after   s  o'clock  on  ^aturaav  cvcur.tt.  ...U  *» 

work  done  on   Sunday,  to  be  charged  a  price  and  a  halt.               .     _,  .  . 
This   scale   of  prices  shall   not  prevent   sui^nor   *°7'"«"   ' ''X,  X 
ting  a  higher  rate  of  pay.     But  no  workman  shall  work  for  le»»  than  Ibc 
prices  herein  specified. 


1 84 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


APPENDIX  B,  NO.  13. 


Price  List  of  Columbia  Typographical  Society,  Washington, 
D.  C,  Adopted  November  1,  1854, 

COMPOSITION. 

1.  Compositors  to  receive  not  less  than  $14  per  week;  ten  hours  to 
constitute  a  day's  work;   and  for  extra  hours  30  cents  per  hour. 

2.  In  all  offices,  and  at  all  seasons,  to  receive  not  less  tlian  $3  for 
each  and  every  Sunday,  (to  consist  of  eight  hours;)  and  for  extra  hours 
on  said  day,  37"/^   cents  per  hour. 

PIECEWORK. 

1.  All  works  done  in  the  English  language,  common  matter,  from 
pica  to  nonpareil,  42  cents  per  1,000  ems;  nonpareil,  46  cents;  agate,  49 
cents;  pearl,  51  cents;  diamond,  62  cents.  The  headline,  with  the  blank 
after  it,  and  the  foot  line,  in  all  cases,  to  be  counted  as  three  lines. 
An  en,  in  length  or  width,  to  be  counted  an  en;  if  less  than  an  en,  not 
to  be  reckoned.     Above  pica,  to  be  charged  as  pica. 

2.  Rule  or  figure  work. — All  rule  or  figure  work  a  price  and  a  half, 
according  to  the  type  in  which  it  is  set.  All  matter  in  which  two  or 
more  rules  are  inserted  to  constitute  rule  work;  and  two  or  more  columns 
of  figures,  without  rules,  to  constitute  figure  work. 

3.  Rule  and  figure  work. — All  rule  and  figure  work  to  be  paid 
double  the  price  of  common  matter.  One  column  of  figures  and  one 
rule,  in  a  page  or  other  matter,  shall  constitute  rule  and  figure  work: 
Provided,  hozi'cver,  That  on  works  the  pages  of  which  are  uniformly 
made  up  of  two  or  more  columns,  (as  on  periodical  publications,)  no 
charge  beyond  that  of  common  matter  shall  be  made  for,  or  on  account 
of,  the  rules  separating  the  columns. 

4.  All  heads  and  foot  lines  attached  to  rule  or  figure  work,  or  rule 
and  figure  work,  to  be  reckoned  the  same  as  the  body  of  the  matter. 

5.  All  foreign  languages,  printed  in  Roman  characters,  an  addition 
of  8  cents  per  1,000  ems. 

6.  All  work  printed  in  Greek  or  other  foreign  characters,  to  be 
paid  for  at  the  rate  of  81   cents  per   1,000  ems. 

7.  Arithmetical  works  to  be  paid  an  advance  of  8  cents  per  1,000 
ems  on  the  price  of  common  matter. 

8.  Algebraical  or  mathematical  works  to  be  charged  double  price. 

9.  Spelling  books,  or  other  work  containing  more  than  two  columns 
in  a  page,  to  be  paid  an  advance  of  one-half  on  the  price  of  common 
matter. 

10.  Music  to  be  charged  for  according  to  the  size  of  the  type  in 
which  it  is  set.  The  head  and  foot  lines  to  be  charged  the  same  as  the 
body  of  the  matter. 

11.  Side  notes  to  be  counted  the  full  length  of  the  page,  and 
charged  according  to  the  type  in   which  they  are  set. 

12.  Cut-in  notes  to  be  cast  up  according  to  the  type  in  which  they 
are  set,  and  charged  17  cents  extra  per  1,000  ems;  and  the  whole  page 
to  be  counted  as  text. 

13.  All  bottom  notes,  contents  of  chapters,  etc.,  in  smaller  type 
than  the  text,  to  be  paid  for  according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set. 

14.  All  letter  cast  upon  a  larger  body  than  the  face,  as  bourgeois 
on  long  primer,  to  be  counted  according  to  its  face;  all  letter  cast  upon 
a  smaller  body  than  the  face,  as  minion  on  nonpareil,  to  be  counted  ac- 
cording to  the  body;  and  all  letter  shall  measure  12^/2  ems  to  the  al- 
phabet. 

15.  All  works,  where  the  measure  does  not  exceed  14  ems  in  width, 
to  be  s  cents  per   1,000  ems  advance. 

16.  For  making  up  a  cet  of  furniture,  not  exceeding  16  pages,  40 
cents;   exceeding,  66  cents. 

Alterations. — Compositors  to  receive  for  alterations  from  copy  at 
the  rate  of  35  cents  per  hour. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINThKS 


185 


PRESSWORK. 

T.  Pressmen  shall  receive  not  less  than  $14  per  week;  ten  hour»  to 
constitute  a  day's  work:  and   for  extra  hours.  30  cents  per  hour. 

2.  At  all  times  to  receive  not  less  than  $^  for  each  and  every  Sun- 
day, (to  consist  of  eight  hours);  and  for  extra  hours  on  said  day.  jjyi 
cents  per  hour. 

PIECEWORK 


Kind  of  work. 


Medium  and  below  medium,  when  the  form  consists  of  brevier  or 

larger  lelier 

Below  brevier,  not  less  than 

Royal,  on  brevier  or  larger  letter 

Royal,  below  brevier 

Super  royal,  on  brevier  or  larger  letter 

Super  royal,  below  brevier 

Medium  and  a  half,  on  brevier  or  larger  letter 

Medium  and  a  half,  below  brevier 

Imperial,  on  brevier  or  larger  letter 

Imperial,  below  brevier 

Newspapers,  when  printed  on  imperial 

Newspapers,  when  printed  on  ro>'al  or  super  royal 

For  any  size  above  imperial  the  charge  shall  be 


48 

V* 

51 

«l 

5J 

43 

55 

45 

H 

44 

n 

47 

« 

«9 

61 

SI 

J9 

n 

4)1 

H 

7J 

61 

a  Pressman  to  pay  his  roller  boy. 

2.  Scale  of  Variation  for  the  Size  or  Forks.  Showimo  thi  Ncii»t» 
OF  Pica  Ems  (a)  to  Be  Contained  in  Each. 


a  Ihis  table  is  based  upon  6  pica  omi  to  the.  nUlut*  inch.    Tl.c  i 
(see  Penny  Magazine.  Vol.  II,  p.  422)  m  7lH  Pica  enu  to  the  foot:  l^ut 
this  country  are  a  slight  degree  smaller. 

3.    LKGITIMATE  SIZES  OF  PAPER. 

Medium    

Royal    

Super   royal 

Medium  and  a  half 

Imperial    


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


Any  form  exceeding  either  of  these  by  300  ems,  to  be  charged  as 
the  next  size. 

4.  All  bookwork  less  than  four  tokens  to  be  charged  2  cents  extra 
per  token. 

5.  Jobs,  48  cents  per  token,  when  worked  on  medium  or  paper  be- 
low medium;  when  on  royal  or  upward,  on  brevier  or  larger  letter,  not 
less  than  52  cents;  below  brevier,  54  cents;  when  on  imperial,  60  cents 
per  token. 

6.  Work  done  in  colors,   double  price. 

7.  Cards,  for  one  pacK,  and  not  exceeding  two  packs,  47  cents; 
when  exceeding  two  packs,  to  be  paid  for  at  the  rate  of  ig  cents  per 
pack. 

8.  Broadsides  shall  be  a  price  and  a  half,  according  to  the  size  of 
the  paper.  To  constitute  a  broadside,  the  matter  to  extend  across  the 
sheet  without  a  break.  A  foolscap  sheet,  and  all  above,  to  be  considered 
a  broadside. 

9.  Parchments  to  be  50  cents  per  token. 

10.  All  matter  that  is  required  to  be  made  up  and  imposed  in  pages, 
to  be  considered  bookwork,  except  newspapers  of  4,  8,   or   16  pages. 

11.  A  token  shall  consist  of  240  sheets. 

12.  For  taking  down  or  putting  up  a  press,  25  cents  per  hour. 

13.  For  lifting  a   form  before  completed,  44  cents. 

14.  For  covering  a  tympan  and  drawer,  $1.50,  or  75  cents  for 
either. 

15.  When  an  alteration  in  a  form  takes  place,  each  pressman  shall 
be  paid  at  the  rate  of  25  cents  per  hour  for  the  time  occupied;  or  30 
cents  per  hour,  if  but  one  pressman,  with  a  roller  boy. 

16.  No  pressman  shall  teach  an  apprentice  presswork  vvithout  the 
benefit  of  his  work  for  fifteen  weeks,  or  half  his  wages  for  six  months; 
and  he  shall  be  a  regular  apprentice  of  the  office. 


APPENDIX  B,  NO.  14. 

Scale  of  Prices  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  Revised  and  Adopted  March,  1856. 

COMPOSITION. 

I.  Compositors  to  receive  not  less  than  $14  per  week,  ten  hours  to 
constitute  a  day's  work,  and  for  extra  hours,  32  cents  per  hour;  Sunday 
work  to  be  paid  for  at  the  rate  of  $3  per  day  of  eight  hours. 

PRESSWORK. 

Pressmen  are  to  be  paid  not  less  than  the  same  rates  that  composi- 
tors working  by  the  week  receive. 

PIECEWORK. 

1.  All  work  done  in  the  English  language,  common  matter,  from 
pica  to  nonpareil,  40  cents;  agate,  44  cents;  pearl,  49  cents;  diarnond, 
60  cents;  the  headline,  with  the  blank  after  it,  and  the  foot  line  in  all 
cases  to  be  counted  as  three  lines.  An  en  in  length  or  width  to  be 
counted  an  em;  if  less  than  an  en,  not  to  be  reckoned.  Above  pica,  to 
be  charged  as  pica. 

2.  Rule  or  figure  work.-^-All  rule  or  figure  work,  "or  where  three 
or  more  justifications  occur  in  a  page  or  column,"  a  price  and  a  half, 
according  to  the  type  in  which  it  is  set.  All  matter  in  which  two  or 
more  rules  are  inserted  to  constitute  rule  work,  and  two  or  more  col- 
umns of  figures  without  rules,  to  constitute  figure  work. 

3.  Rule  and  figure  work. — All  rule  and  figure  work  to  be  paid 
double  the  price  of  common  matter.  One  column  of  figures  and  one 
rule,   in  a  page  or  other  matter,  shall   constitute  rule  and  figure  work: 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    TRINTKHS 


1S7 


Provided,  however.  That  on  works  the  pages  of  which  are  unifonnlr 
made  up  of  two  or  more  columns  (as  on  periodical  publicationt.)  no 
charge  beyond  that  of  common  matter  shall  be  made  for  or  on  account 
of  the  rules  separatinfj  the  columns. 

4.  All  heads  or  foot  lines  attached  to  rule  or  figure  work  or  rule 
and  figure  work,  to  be  reckoned  the  same  as  the  body  of  the  matter. 

5.  All  foreign  languages,  printed  in  Roman  characters,  an  addition 
of  10  cents  per  1,000  ems. 

6.  All  works  printed  in  Greek,  or  other  foreign  characters,  to  be 
paid  for  at  the  rate  of  80  cents  per  1,000  ems. 

7.  Arithmetical  works  to  be  paid  an  advance  of  10  cents  per  1,000 
ems  on  the  price  of  common  matter. 

8.  Music,  double  price. 

9.  Side  notes  to  be  counted  the  full  length  of  the  page  and  charged 
according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set. 

10.  Cut-in  notes  to  be  cast  up  according  to  the  type  in  which  they 
«re  set,  and  charged  10  cents  extra  per  1,000  ems;  ana  the  whole  page 
to  be  counted  as  text. 

11.  Algebraical   or   mathematical   works  to  be  charged   double  price. 

12.  All  bottom  notes,  contents  of  chapters,  etc.,  in  smaller  type 
than  the  text,  to  be  paid  for  according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set. 

13.  All  letter  cast  upon  a  larger  body  than  the  fac>',  as  bourgeois 
on  long  primer,  to  be  counted  according  to  its  face;  all  letter  cast  upt^n 
a  smaller  body  than  the  face,  as  minum  on  nonpareil,  to  be  counted  ac- 
cording to  the  body;  and  all  letter  shall  measure  13%  ems  to  the  al- 
phabet. 

14.  All  works  where  the  measure  does  not  exceed  14  ems  in  width. 
to  be  3  cents  per  1,000  ems  advance. 

15.  For  making  up  a  set  of  furniture,  not  exceeding  16  pages,  37 
cents;  exceeding,  66  cents. 

Alterations. — Compositors  to  receive  for  alterations  from  copy,  or 
other  time  work  at  the  rate  of  32  cents  per  hour. 


APPENDIX  B,  NO.  15. 

Scale  of  Prices  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society.  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  Adopted  Pebruary  21,  1863. 

WEEKLY  RATES. 

I.  Compositors  in  book  and  job  offices,  and  on  evening  and  weekly 
newspapers,  to  receive  not  less  than  $16  per  week,  ten  hours  to  consu- 
tute  a  day's  work;  and  for  extra  hours  40  cents  per  hour. 

2  The  regular  hours  of  work  shall  be  as  follows:  From  the  lolh 
of  October,  inclusive,  to  the  loth  of  March,  8  a.  m.  to  7  P-  »"•;  ""™ 
the  loth  of  March,  inclusive,  to  the   loth  of  October,  7,?-  «"•  »o  *  •!•  P^ 

3.  The  regular  holidays  shall  be  as  follows:  I-ourth  of  July. 
Thanksgiving  Dav,  and  Christmas  Day;  and  all  work  required  to  be  done 
on  those  days  shall  be  paid  the  same  as  Sunday  work.  ,  _  .  „fc 

On  the  eve  of  regular  holidays  and  days  generally  oww'*'*!  ■•  •»«"• 
and  on  every  Saturday  evening  throughout  the  year,  work  shall  cease  at 

^  ^'  4!'  In  all  offices  and  at  all  seasons  compositors  to  receive  BO« J«» 
than  $4  for  Sunday  work,  the  day  to  consist  of  eight  hours,  and  60  eenu 
per  hour   for  all  extra  work.  .  . 

S.  No  ^^ork  shall  he  done  at  the  weekly  rates  for  lesa  than  tbrt* 
days— all  jobs  that  last  for  a  less  time  to  be  done  by  the  piece. 

PIECEWORK. 

BOOK,   JOB,    AND    EVENING    PAPER    OPriCE. 

I.  All  work  done  in  the  English  language.  '^"["'".''"."'Vi^  'dS^ 
pica  to  agate,   inclusive,   45   cents   per    1.000  ems;   pearl,   so  ceou.   du 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


mond,  60  cents.  An  en  in  length  or  width  to  be  counted  an  em;  if  less 
than  an  en,  not  to  be  counted.  Works  set  in  type  larger  than  pica  to  be 
counted  as  pica. 

2.  All  works  in  foreign  languages  (Roman  characters)  shall  be 
paid   s  cents  extra  per   1,000. 

3.  Works  in  foreign  characters  shall  be  paid  for  as  follows:  Greek, 
without  accents,  60  cents  per  1,000,  accented,  65  cents;  German,  45 
cents;  Hebrew,  without  points,  60  cents;  with  points,  (to  be  cast  up 
half  body  and  half  points,)   80  cents. 

4.  Where  words  of  Greek  or  Hebrew  occur  in  common  matter  the 
charge  shall  be  for  the  first  three  words  or  less,  5  cents,  and  i  cent  a 
word  thereafter;  unless  the  foreign  character  shall  amount  to  1,000  ems 
in  a  mass,  then  to  be  paid  as  per  scale  for  such  character. 

5.  Arithmetical  works,    10  cents  per   1,000  ems  extra. 

6.  Algebraical  or  mathematical   works,  double  price. 

7.  Side  notes  to  be  counted  the  full  length  of  the  page,  and  charged 
according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set. 

8.  Cut-in  notes  to  be  charged  3  cents  a  note,  the  whole  page  to  be 
counted  as  text. 

9.  All  bottom  notes,  contents  of  chapters,  etc.,  in  smaller  type  than 
the  text,  to  be  paid  for  according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set. 

10.  All  work  under  fourteen  ems  in  width,  3  cents  per  1,000"  ems 
extra. 

11.  All  letter  cast  on  a  body  larger  than  its  face,  as  bourgeois  on 
long  primer,  to  be  paid  by  the  face;  and  all  cast  on  a  smaller  body  than 
the  face  to  be  paid  by  the  body. 

12.  All  letter  must  measure  izj^  ems  to  the  alphabet. 

13.  Compositors  shall  correct  one  proof  and  one  revise.  All  altera- 
tions made  by  the  author  to  be  paid  for  at  the  rate  of  40  cents  per  hour. 

14.  For  making  up  a  set  of  furniture,  sixteen  pages,  37  cents;  ex- 
ceeding sixteen  pages,  66  cents. 

RULE   AND   FIGURE   WORK. 

15.  Rule  or  figure  work. — All  rule  or  figure  work  or  where  three 
or  more  justifications  occur  in  a  page  or  column,  a  price  and  a  half,  ac- 
cording to  the  type  in  which  it  is  set.  All  matter  in  which  two  or  more 
rules  are  inserted,  to  constitute  rule  work;  and  two  or  more  columns  of 
figures,   without  rules,   to  constitute   figure  work. 

16.  Rule  and  figure  work. — All  rule  and  figure  work  to  be  paid 
double  the  price  of  common  matter.  One  column  of  figures  and  one 
rule,  in  a  page  or  other  matter,  shall  constitute  rule  and  figure  work: 
Provided,  hoivcver.  That  on  works  the  pages  of  which  are  uniformly 
made  up  of  two  or  more  columns  (as  on  periodical  publications),  no 
charge  beyond  that  of  common  matter  shall  be  made  for,  or  on  account 
of,  the  rules  separating  the  columns. 

17.  All  heads  and  foot  lines  attached  to  rule  or  figure  work,  or 
rule  and  figure  work,  to  be  reckoned  the  same  as  the  body  of  the  matter. 

MORNING    PAPERS. 

1.  Compositors  employed  on  morning  papers  shall  receive  45  cents 
per  1,000  ems  (all  letters  included,)  and  shall  in  all  cases  work  by  the 
piece. 

2.  Rule  work,  figure  work,  and  rule  and  figure  work  shall  be 
charged  at  the  rates  laid  down  in  articles  15,   16,  and  17  of  book  rates. 

3.  \i  the  hook,  stone,  desk,  or  place  where  copy  is  taken  from  be 
cleared  after  7  o'clock  at  night,  compositors  to  receive  pay  while  on  the 
wait,  at  40  cents  per  hour;  for  fractions  of  hours  the  charge  shall  be  as 
follows:  Fifteen  minutes  and  under,  and  not  exceeding  twenty,  one- 
fourth  hour;  over  twenty  and  not  exceeding  thirty-five,  one-half  hour; 
over  thirty-five  and  not  exceeding  fifty,  three- fourths  hour;  over  fifty 
minutes,  one  hour. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OK    PRINTERS  ,8g 

hourfotl  andVo'clocCT'.n."""""''''"   ''^"   ***  »"PP"'''    •*«*«*«    '»" 

5.  Compositors  to  correct  one  proof. 

6.  In  consideration  that  the  oflkc  in  which  the  official  .Irl.vr,  .f 
congress  are  printed  can   not  obtain  the  copy  until  the   II 

gress   adjourn    and   the,  reporters'    notes  arc   written   out 

thereof   shall    have    the   privilege    to   commute   all    time    t 

afternoon   copy    by   paying    5   cents   per    1,000    cms   over    a  -        - 

foregoing   scale   of   prices:     Provided.    That    such    system    shall   cu«uuue 

throughout  each  session  of  Congress. 

PRESSWORK. 

1.  Pressmen  shall  receive  not  less  than  $16  per  week,  ten  hours  to 
constitute  a  days  work;  and  for  extra  hours,  40  cents  per  hour 

2.  At  all  times  to  receive  not  less  than  $4  for  each  and  every  Sun- 
day (to  consist  of  eight  hours),  and  for  extra  hours  on  Mid  Jay  60 
cents  per  hour. 

3.  In  any  office  where  there  are  more  than  four  presses,  no  press- 
man shall  have  charge  of  more  than  two  power  presses,  except  in  the 
case  of  an  unavoidable  exigency. 

(Feb.  2i.  1863.) 


APPENDIX  B.  NO.  16. 

Scale  of  Prices  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society.  WMh- 
ington.  D.  C,  Adopted  July  2.  1864. 

WEEKLY  RATES. 

1.  Compositors  in  book  and  job  offices,  and  on  weekly  newsfwpera, 
to  receive  not  less  than  $ji  per  week,  ten  hours  to  constitute  a  day's 
work;  and  for  extra  hours  50  cents  per  hour. 

2.  The  regular  hours  of  work  shall  be  as  follows: 

From  the  loth  of  (Jctober.  inclusive,  to  the  loth  of  March,  8  a.  m. 
to  7  p.  m.;  from  the  loth  of  March,  inclusive,  to  the  loth  of  October, 
7  a.  m.  to  6  p.  m. 

3.  The  regular  holidays  shall  be  as  follows:  Fourth  of  July. 
Thanksgiving  Day,  and  Christmas  Day;  and  all  work  required  to  b« 
done  on  those  days  shall  be  paid  the  same  as  Sunday  work. 

On  the  eve  of  regular  holidays  and  days  generally  observed  as  such, 
and  on  every  Saturday  evening  throughout  the  year,  work  shall  cease  at 
5  p.  m. 

4.  In  all  offices  and  at  all  seasons  compositors  to  receive  not  \t*» 
than  $5  fo.-  Sunday  work,  the  day  to  consist  of  eight  hours,  and  70  centJ 
per  hour  for  all  extra  work. 

5.  No  work  shall  be  done  at  the  weekly  rates  for  less  than  three 
days,  all  jobs  that  last  for  a  less  time  to  be  done  by  the  piece. 

PIPXEVVORK. 

BOOK,    JOB,    AND    EVENING   TAPE!    OfflCES. 

1.  All  work  done  in  the  English  language,  r 
pica  to  agate,  inclusive.  60  cents  per  1,000  cms; 
inond,  75  cents.  An  en  in  length  or  width  ti>  I)c  . 
than  an   en.  not  to  be  counted.     Works  set   in  tyi  • 

be  counted  as  pica.  „  ,  v     l  ••  1.         -j 

2.  All  works  in  foreign  languages  (Roman  characters)  shall  be  peid 
10  cents  extra  per  i.ooo.  r-.^i. 

f.  Works  in  foreign  characters  shall  be  paid  for  as  follows.  »'»**"• 
without    accents,    75    cents    per    1.000;    accented,    80    cent*;    German.    60 


I  go 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


cents;  Hebrew,  without  points,  75  cents;  with  points,  (to  be  cast  up  half 
body  and  half  points,)   $1. 

4.  Where  words  of  Greek  or  Hebrew  occur  in  common  matter  the 
charge  shall  be  for  the  first  three  words  or  less,  5  cents,  and  i  cent  a 
word  thereafter;  unless  the  foreign  character  shall  amount  to  1,000  ems 
in  a  mass,  then  to  be  paid  as  per  scale  for  such  character. 

5.  Arithmetical  works,   10  cents  per   1,000  ems  extra. 

6.  Algebraical  or  mathematical  works,  double  price. 

7.  Side  notes  to  be  counted  the  full  length  of  the  page,  and 
charged  according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set. 

8.  Cut-in  notes  to  be  charged  3  cents  a  note,  the  whole  page  to  be 
counted  as  text. 

9.  All  bottom  notes,  contents  of  chapters,  etc.,  in  smaller  type  than 
the  text,  to  be  paid  for  according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set. 

10.  All  works  under   14  ems  in   width.  3  cents  per    1,000  cms  extra. 

11.  All  letter  cast  on  a  body  larger  than  its  face,  as  bourgeois  on 
long  primer,  to  be  paid  by  the  face;  and  all  cast  on  a  smaller  body  than 
the  face  to  be  paid  by  the  body. 

12.  All  letter  must  measure   123^   ems  to  the  alphabet. 

13.  Compositors  shall  correct  one  proof  and  one  revise.  All  altera- 
tions made  by  the  author  to  be  paid  for  at  the  rate  of  45  cents  per  hour. 

14.  For  making  up  a  set  of  furniture,  sixteen  pages,  50  cents;  ex- 
ceeding sixteen  pages,  75  cents. 

RULE  AND  FIGURE    WORK. 

15.  Rule  or  figure  work. — All  rule  or  figure  work,  or  where  three 
or  more  justifications  occur  in  a  page  or  column,  a  price  and  a  half,  ac- 
cording to  the  type  in  which  it  is  set.  All  matter  in  which  two  or  more 
rules  are  inserted  to  constitute  rule  work;  and  two  or  more  columns  of 
figures,  without  rules,  or  one  column  of  figures  and  one  rule,  to  consti- 
tute figure  work. 

16.  Rule  and  figure  work. — All  rule  and  figure  work  to  be  paid 
double  the  price  of  common  matter.  Two  columns  of  figures  and  two 
rules  in  a  page  or  other  matter,  shall  constitute  rule  and  figure  work: 
Provided,  hozvever,  That  on  works  the  pages  of  which  are  uniformly 
made  up  of  two  or  more  columns,  (as  on  periodical  publications,)  no 
charge  beyond  that  of  common  matter  shall  be  made  for,  or  on  account 
of,  the  rules  separating  the  columns. 

17.  Al'  heads  and  foot  lines  attached  to  rule  or  figiire  work,  or  rule 
and  figure  work.  ti  be  reckoned  the  same  as  the  body  of  the  matter. 

EVENING    PAPERS. 

1.  Compositors  on  evening  papers  shall,  in  all  cases,  work  by  the 
piece,  and  have  at  least  six  hours'  composition  each  day,  and  if,  during 
said  six  hours,  they  may  be  compelled  to  wait,  they  shall  be  paid  while 
on  the  wait,  45  cents  per  hour.  For  fractions  of  an  hour  the  charge 
shall  be:  For  fifteen  minutes  and  under  twenty  mSnutes,  one-fourth 
hour;  over  twenty  and  not  exceeding  thirty-five  minutes,  one-half  hour; 
over  thirty-five  and  not  exceeding  fifty  minutes,  three  fourths  hour; 
over  fifty  minutes,  one  hour. 

2.  On  all  evening  or  weekly  newspapers  where  the  foreman  or 
maker-up  sets  type,  he  shall  take  his  regular  turn  for  copy.  All  copy 
shall  be  placed  on  the  hook,  and  fat  advertisements  or  any  other  descrip- 
tion of  fat  matter  shall  not  be  culled. 

MORNING    PAPERS. 

1.  Compositors  employed  on  morning  papers  shall  receive  60  cents 
per  1,000  ems,  (all  letters  included,)  and  shall,  in  all  cases,  work  by  the 
piece. 

2.  Rule  work,  fieure  work,  and  rule  and  figure  work  shall  be 
charged  at  the   rates  laid  down  in  articles    15,   16,  and  17   of  book  rates. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTERS  ,91 

3-  If  the  hook,  stone,  table,  desk,  or  place  where  copy  ii  taken 
from  be  cleared  after  7  o'clock  at  night,  compositors  to  receive  i.ay 
while  on  the  wait,  at  50  cents  per  hour;  for  fractions  of  h.jur»  the 
charge  shall  be  as  follows:  For  fifteen  minutes  and  under  twenty  .ne- 
fourth  hour;  over  twenty  and  not  exccedinu  thirty-five,  one-half  hour- 
over  thirty-five  and  not  exceeding  fifty,  three-fourths  hour;  over  fifty 
minutes,  one  hour. 

4.  At  least  two  hours'  composition  shall  be  supplied  between  the 
hours  of  3   and  6  o'clock  p.   m. 

5.  Compositors  to  correct  one  proof. 

6.  In   consideration   that   the   office   in   which   the  official   debate*  of 
Congress  are  printed  caa  not  obtain  the  copy  until   the  Houses  •  '  <     - 
gress   adjourn   and    the    reporters'    notes  arc   written   out,    the   j: 
thereof  shall   have  privilege  to  commute  all   lime   for   waiting  a: 

noon  copy  by  paying   10  cents  per   i,ooq  ems  over  and  above   ti.r 
going    scale    of    prices:      f'rovijed.    That    such    system    shall    c^v.n-.y^c 
throughout  each  session  of  Congress. 

PRESSWORK. 

1.  Pressmen  shall  receive  not  less  than  $21  per  week,  ten  boar*  to 
constitute  a  day's  work;  and  for  extra  hours  50  cents  per  hour. 

2.  At  all  times  to  receive  not  less  than  $5  for  each  and  every  Sun- 
day, (to  consist  of  eight  hours,)  and  for  extra  hours  on  said  day  70 
cents  per  hour. 

3.  In  any  office  where  there  are  more  than  four  pre^sri.  r.  >  ;':r**- 
man   shall   have  charge   of   more  than   two  power   presses 

case  of  a   fellow-pressman  being  absent  by  sickness,  or      • 

cause,  in  which  case  the  man  attending  the  presses  shall  ' 

amount  of  the  absentee's  wages:    l'ru:.Ucd,  That  no  pre>-  <■ 

claim  for  any  such  extra  service  for  more  than   three  days   in  iuy  ukc 

month. 

(July  2,  1864.) 

APPENDIX  B.  NO.   17. 

Scale  of  Prices  of  the  Columbia  Typographical  Society,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  Adopted  October  13,  1866. 

HOOK  AND  joi!  WOKK. 

1.  All  works  in  the  English  language,  common  matler.  from  pka 
to  agate,  inclusive,  60  cents  per  1,000  ems;  pearl,  65  cents:  diamond,  r^ 
cents.  An  en  in  length  or  width  to  be  counted  as  an  cm;  le»»  than  jtt 
en  not  to  be  counted.     Type  larger  than  pica  to  be  cast  up  as  ptca. 

2.  Works  in  foreign  languages  (Roman  characters)  shall  be  p*-. 
price  and  a  half  per  1,000  ems. 

3.  Where  words  of  Greek  or  Hebrew  occur    • 
charge  shall    be   5   cents  extra   for   the   first   thrr. 
cent  per  word  thereafter;  unless  the  foreign  ch.i: 

1,000  ems  in  a  mass,  in  which  case  they  shall  be  v.....k^-.  -  , •■•   - 

half. 

4.  Arithmetical  works,  20  cents  per  1,000  ems  extra. 

5.  Algebraical  or  mathematical  works,  .l.nl.Ir  ;.rur.  >""^"''  '""7 
or   small   portions   of   algebra   occur   in   an 

hour  shall  be  charged   for  the  time  consir 

6.  Works    printed    with    the   old    l-.nt' 
periors,  etc.,  shall  be  charged    10  cents  p<r 

7.  Prefaces,  contents,  or  any  prefixed  nnttrr  ..>-' 
in  which  they  are  composed,  and  take  the  extras  oj  tlic 
they  belong^     pages  in  a   form  shall  be  charged  br  the  . 

when  the  matter  is  made  up  or  imposed  by  him.  but  chapter   bci,  an.) 


192 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


concluding  pages  shall  be  charged  by  the  compositor,  whether  made  up 
by  him  or  not,  at  the  same  rate  as  the  body  of  the  work  to  which  they 
belong. 

9.  The  office  has  the  privilege  of  claiming  full  titles  and  dedica- 
tions, but  in  no  case  shall  piece-paying  establishments  claim  half  titles, 
or  any  other  prefixed  matter,  nor  cull  the  fat  portions  of  any  work. 

10.  Headlines,  etc.,  giving  a  synopsis  of  the  contents  of  each  page, 
when  filled  up  by  the  proofreader  after  the  matter  has  been  made  up,  to 
be  charged  50  cents  per  hour  for  the  time  consumed  in  inserting. 

11.  The  establishment  shall  furnish  the  necessary  sorts  of  all 
works  requiring  an  unusual  quantity  of  capitals,  figures,  italics,  points, 
etc.  Sorts  furnished  subsequent  to  matter  being  set  up  shall  be  inserted 
at  the  expense  of  the  office. 

12.  When  matter  is  set  without  leads,  and  is  afterwards  required 
to  be  leaded,  such  matter  shall  be  leaded  at  the  expense  of  the  employer, 
and  the  compositor  shall  charge  for  it  the  same  as  if  he  had  originally 
put  in  the  leads. 

13.  Compositors  may  be  required  to  clear  away  or  distribute  all  fat 
or  objectionable  matter  charged  by  them,  when  the  sorts  in  it  have  been 
supplied  by  the  office,  and  take  out  leads  from  dead  matter  when  the 
leads  have  been  supplied  by  the  office;  except  in  cases  where  the  matter 
has  been  kept  standing  for  a  second  edition,  in  which  case  the  office 
shall  take  charge  of  it. 

14.  Side  notes  shall  be  counted  the  full  length  of  the  page,  and 
charged  according  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set. 

15.  Cut-in  notes  shall  be  paid  25  cents  each,  and  the  whole  page 
charged  as  text. 

16.  Bottom  notes,  contents  of  chapters,  etc.,  in  smaller  type  than 
the  text,  shall  be  cast  up  to  the  type  in  which  they  are  set. 

[Casting  up  side  notes,  etc. — When  a  compositor  is  required  to  cast 
up  his  pages  to  ascertain  their  value,  he  is  entitled  to  reckon  in  his  cal- 
culation all  that  constitutes  part  and  parcel  of  his  page.  It  is  upon  this 
rule  that  he  acts  when  he  casts  up  a  page  of  two  columns,  for  he  in- 
cludes in  the  width  of  his  page  the  reglet  or  rule  which  separates  his 
columns.  In  table  work  he  reckons  the  rules  or  blank  columns  which 
may  occur  in  his  page.  So,  also,  in  casting  of  bottom  notes,  he  reckons 
the  reglet,  rule  or  white  which  separates  the  text  and  the  note;  and 
upon  the  same  principle  he  is  entitled  to  reckon  the  reglet  in  the  square 
of  his  page.] 

17.  All  matter  set  in  a  measure  less  than  16  ems  m  width,  of 
whatever  type  it  may  be  composed,  shall  be  charged  5  cents  per  1,000  ems 
extra. 

[Note. — When  more  than  two  columns  appear  on  the  face  of  a  page, 
this  article  shall  not  apply,  but  the  case  shall  be  governed  by  article  20.] 

18.  When  cuts  are  inserted  in  the  matter  or  worked  in  pages  along 
with  the  body  of  the  work,  such  cuts  belong  to  the  compositors;  but 
when  the  cuts  are  worked  entirely  separate,  the  same  as  copperplate  en- 
gravings or  lithographic  plates,   they  are  not  claimed  by  the  compositors. 

19.  \\'hexi  cuts  inserted  in  matter  cause  overrunning  in  making  up 
— as  works  on  natural  philosophy,  chemistry,  etc. — and  also  when  ques- 
tions are  appended  to  the  page,  50  cents  per  hour  shall  be  paid  for  the 
time  occupied  in  overrunning  or  appending  the  questions. 

20.  All  work  where  three  justifications  or  columns  (words  or  fig- 
ures), without  rules,  occur  in  a  page  or  column  shall  be  charged  a  price 
and  a  half,  according  to  the  type  in  which  it  is  set;  when  more  than 
three  celumns  occur,   to   be  charged   double   price. 

21.  All  rule  and  figure  work  to  be  charged  double  the  price  of 
common  matter.  Three  or  more  columns,  (figures  or  words,)  with  rules, 
in  a  page  or  other  matter,  shall  constitute  rule  and  figure  work:  Pro- 
vided, hoivever,  That  on  works  the  pages  of  which  are  uniformly  made 
up  of  two  or  more  columns  (such  as  periodical  publications)  no  charge 
beyond  that  of  common  matter  shall  be  made  for  [or]  on  account  of  the 
rules  separating  the  columns. 

22.  Title  headings  and  foot  lines  to  column  and  tabular  work  shall 
be  considered  as  part  of  such  matter  and  paid  for  accordingly. 


EARLY    ORGANIZATIONS    OF    PRINTKRS 


23.  Short  pages  in  a  series  of  tables  arc  charRcd  a«  full  i    . 

24.  Matter  consisliriR  of  four  or  five  blank  cotunin<i  (fo 
to  be  charged  a  price  and  a  half;  but  when  the  columns  are  *xx 
to  be  charged  double,  cast  up  to  the  type  used  in  the  worit 
they  occur. 

25.  It   shall   oe   the   duty   of  the  coiv 
proofs  of  each   form.     All   proofs  t.ikcn   .1 
the  rate  of   15  cents  each  for  letterpress  i 
and   small  jobs   5  cents  each.     When  exti  1   . 

the  carelessness  of  a  compositor,  they  shall  be  taken  a; 

26.  Compositors  shall  correct  one  proof  and  one  r< 
tions  made  by  the  author  to  be  paid  for  at  the  rate  of  5 

27.  In  all  cases  where  bad  letters  are  marked  by  i.n  j 
in  consequence  of  worn-out  defective  fonts,  the  same  sluU  be 
at  the  e.xpense  of  the  establisliment. 

28.  All  letter  cast  on  a  larger  body  than  the  face  (as  b<i' 
long  primer)  shall  be  cast  up  according  to  the  face,  and  all  : 
on  a  smaller  body  than  the  face  {as  minion  on  nonpareil) 
counted  according  to  tlie  body. 

29.  All    fonts   of   type,    the   alphabet   of   which    measures    ' 
1254    ems,   shall   be  cast   up  in  depth  to  the  body  of  the  tyi>e 
in  width  to  that  of  the  next  smaller  type. 

30.  When  necessary  to  facilitate  work,  the  employer  m.iv 

maker-up:    Provided.  That  not  more  than  4  cents  ■. -•   >  •■■ 

deducted  for  making-up,  imposing,  taking  the  n<- 
compositor  to  charge  the  entire  page,  including  I 

31.  For  bad  manuscript,  works  of  an  intric     ■ 

erned  by  these  articles,  50  cents  per  hour  shall  be  cn.irKii. 

TIME  WORK. 

32.  Compositors  and  pressmen  employed  by  the  w 
not  less  than  $24  per  week,  eight  hours  to  constitute  .t 
of  October  to  the  3'st  of  March,  and  ten  hours  to  con-; 

the  ist  of  April  to  the  30th  of  September,  inclusive.     1  or  iMra    ^    r*   ^  • 
cents  per  hour.     After   12  o'clock  midnight.  ;5  c<-"''»  V"^  ""V- 

33.  The  regular  hours  of  work  shall   l>c  as   f..ll..ws:     From  ih»    t.l 

of  October  to  the  3'st  of  March,  inclusive,  8  a.  m.  to  <; '•     - 

the  I  St  of  April  to  the  30th  of  September,  mclusive.  7  •• 

34.  The  regular  holi'lavs  shall  be  as  follows:  : 
Thanksgiving  Day,  and  Christmas  ILiy:  ai..l  ..II  '.^.i  • 
done  on  those  days  shall  be  paid  ti 

of    regular    holidays,    and    d.nys    ^i' 
Saturday  evening,  throughout  tlu    : 

35.  In  all   oflici's  and  at   all   s.  . 

than    $5    for    Sunday    work,    the   day    \.o  cuiiM-t    ..I    •■■n^^    '-     ' 
cents  per  hour  for  all  extra  work.  .„  /, 

3^  No  composition  shall  be  done  at  the  weekly  ratr.  for 
three  days;  all  jobs  th.-it  last  for  a  less  time  to  be  done  by  V"-   . 
at  the  rate  of  50  cents  per  hour.  ..^„,„  .mnln»r<l  h«  \hr 

17.  In  any  case  where  a  compositor  or  prcMinan  ""P'"'"''  ''»  '^ 
week  shall  be  recalled,  without  pr.vi.-.s  nntirr.  after  w<>rV-nr  h"^»  - 
do  extra  work.  $1   extra  shall  be  . 

38.     In  any  office  where  tlier. 
man   shall   have  charge   of  more   i 
of  a   pressman   being  absent   by   r. 
circumstance,    in   which   event  his    f' '''    ' 
of   the   employer,   may   take   charge  o»    li 
absentee    be    paid    the    full    amount    oi 
That  he  shall  not  be  absent  more  tli.in  .k 


194 


A    DOCUMENTARY    HISTORY    OF    THE 


MORNING  PAPERS. 


1.  Compositors  employed  upon  morning  papers  shall  receive  not 
less  than  60  cents  per  1,000  ems  (all  letter  included),  and  shall  in  all 
cases  work  by  the  piece. 

2.  Column  and  tabular  work. — See  articles  20,  21  and  22  of  book 
scale. 

3.  Bastard  type. — See  articles  28  and  29  of  book  scale. 

4.  Work  done  by  the  hour  shall  be  charged  at  the  rate  of  50  cents 
per  hour;  and  all  time  consumed  in  waiting  for  copy  after  7  p.  m.  shall 
be  similarly  charged.  For  fractions  of  hours  the  charge  shall  be  as  fol- 
lows: For  ten  minutes  and  not  exceeding  twenty,  one-fourth  hour: 
over  twenty  and  not  exceeding  thirty-five  minutes,  one-half  hour;  over 
thirty-five  and  not  exceeding  fifty  minutes,  three-fourths  hour;  over  fifty 
minutes,  one  hour. 

5.  At  least  two  consecutive  hours'  composition  shall  be  supplied  be- 
tween the  hours  of  2  and  6  p.  m. 

[Mote. — In  consideration  that  the  ofifice  in  which  the  official  debates 
of  Congress  are  printed  can  not  obtain  the  copy  until  the  House  of  Con- 
gress adjourn  and  the  reporters'  notes  are  written  out,  the  proprietor 
thereof  shall  have  the  privilege  of  commuting  all  time  for  waiting  and 
afternoon  copy  by  paying  10  cents  per  1,000  ems  over  and  above  the 
foregoing  scale:  Provided,  That  such  system  shall  continue  throughout 
each  session  of  Congress.] 

6.  A  cut  or  stereotype  plate,  whether  complete  in  itself  or  not,  be- 
longs to  the  compositor. 

7.  On  each  and  every  occasion  when  a  man,  after  having  left  the 
office  for  the  night,  shall  be  recalled  to  work  before  10  a.  m.,  $1  extra 
shall  be  charged. 

8.  All  matter  set  for  newspapers  during  the  week,  whether  pub- 
lished or  not,  shall  be  placed  upon  the  compositors'  bills  and  paid  for  at 
the  end  of  the  week,  or  at  whatever  time  may  be  specified  for  the  clos- 
ing of  the  weekly  bills. 

9.  A  majority  of  the  hands  in  each  newspaper  oflSce  shall  regulate 
all  matters  in  relation  to  departments  or  other  fat  matter,  subject  to  the 
approval  of  the  employer,  but  no  copy  shall  be  culled  under  such  regula- 
tion. 

10.  Compositors  to  correct  one  proof. 

EVENING  PAPERS. 

1.  Compositors  on  evening  papers  shall  in  all  cases  work  by  the 
piece,  and  have  at  least  six  consecutive  hours'  composition  each  day;  and 
if  at  any  time  they  may  be  compelled  to  wait  for  copy  they  shall  be 
paid  at  the  rate  of  50  cents  per  hour — fractions  of  hours  to  be  charged 
as  prescribed  in  article  4  of  morning  newspaper  scale. 

2.  Articles  i,  2,  3.  6.  8,  9,  and  10  of  the  scale  for  morning  papers 
shall  apply  tp  evening  papers. 


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